A CASE REPORT ON EXTRANODAL NATURAL KILLER/T-CELL LYMPHOMA (ENKTCL) IN A CAUCASIAN ADULT

Slobodanka Trpkovska Terzieva; Olivera Gjeorgjieva Janev; Andonija Terzieva; Tara Mojsovska; Tatjana Sotirova; Marica Pavkovikj; Sonja Genadieva Stavrikj; Zlate Stojanoski

Slobodanka Trpkovska Terzieva University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Olivera Gjeorgjieva Janev University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Andonija Terzieva Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Tara Mojsovska University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Tatjana Sotirova University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Marica Pavkovikj University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Sonja Genadieva Stavrikj University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia
Zlate Stojanoski University Clinic of Hematology, Skopje, North Macedonia

Abstract

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are uncommon entities, accounting for fewer than 10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Initial evaluation of PTCLs includes history and physical examination, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging, a marrow aspirate and a biopsy. Extra nodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) represents approximately 5% of PTCLs. Although the disease typically appears as a localized tumour at the initial diagnosis with a low (favorable) International Prognostic Index (IPI) and without B-symptoms, recurrence and frequent relapses are the main threats to the course of ENKTL. For this reason, patients with stage 1 of the disease have a worse outcome compared to those who initially appear with a tumor mass at other locations. We hereby present a case of a 38-year-old male patient, who firstly appeared with a localized mass in one of the testicles. Despite properly treating the condition with first-, second- and third-line chemotherapeutics plus adjuvant radiotherapy, the patient has had a total of two relapses in the past 4.5 years. After the last given regimen, the patient has been disease-free for three months, which is not an encouraging time given the cumulative side effect of polychemotherapy and the aggressiveness of the disease itself.

Keywords: natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, testis,¹⁸F-FDG PET.

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