Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Pediatric Subcutaneous Panniculitis-Like T-Cell Lymphoma: A...

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, and pediatric cases are uncommon, with available literature limited to case reports and small series. We conducted a scoping review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, systematically searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to December 31, 2025. Studies reporting pediatric patients with SPTCL were included. Thirty-four studies comprising 114 pediatric patients were included. Most children presented with subcutaneous nodules or plaques, and the disease was localized to the skin in the majority. B symptoms and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) were frequently reported and were associated with more severe disease. First-line treatment varied widely, with chemotherapy used in 57.4%, immunosuppressive therapy in 34.7%, and observation in 7.9% of patients. Salvage therapy was required in approximately 21% of patients, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was reserved for a small subset with refractory or relapsed disease. Total 84.3% patients achieved sustained remission. Mortality was reported in 10.8%, largely in association with progressive disease or systemic complications. Pediatric SPTCL is a clinically heterogeneous disease with generally favorable outcomes. The presence of HLH identifies a higher risk subgroup requiring more intensive therapy. Risk-adapted treatment strategies and collaborative prospective studies are needed to optimize management in children.