Subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma treated with systemic chemotherapy, autologous stem cell support, and limb amputation

Subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma is an unusual variant of peripheral T-cell lymphoma in which the malignant infiltrate preferentially involves the subcutis. The disease is often initially misdiagnosed as a benign inflammatory panniculitis or a granulomatous disease. We describe subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a 39-year-old man who was treated with systemic chemotherapy, autologous stem cell support, and amputation of the limb primarily involved with the lymphomatous infiltrate. This is the first report of amputation being included in the treatment regimen of subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Because preferential involvement of the extremities often occurs in patients with subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma, surgical debulking of refractory disease by partial or complete limb amputation may be a useful therapeutic adjunct.