A Case of CD4 + T-Cell Lymphoma With Gamma-Delta Phenotype, Incidentally Manifesting in a Wound Debridement Sample

Abstract

We report an 85-year-old male patient with a medical history significant for psoriasis who presented with a thigh wound that expanded slowly over the course of 9 months. The patient was previously treated with amputation of hand digits for osteomyelitis. Histologic examination of the tissue sample revealed a broad ulceration with large areas of necrosis extending into the subcutis. The edge of the specimen also revealed a nodular lymphoid infiltrate in the subcutaneous adipose tissue composed of atypical cells. These cells were only positive for CD3, CD4, and T-cell receptor (TCR) delta stains . The Ki-67 proliferation index of tumor cells was about 70%. The tumor cells were negative for CD30, CD8, CD56, TCR BF1, granzyme, TIA1, CD123, and Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER)-ish stains. A diagnosis of gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma was made. Further imaging showed regional lymphadenopathy. The patient was started on mini-CHOP and filgrastim; however, the patient died within 1 month after the diagnosis. This is an interesting case of gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma that was incidentally diagnosed on a chronic wound. In addition, it showed a CD4 + , CD8 - phenotype that is exceedingly rare for T-cell lymphomas with gamma-delta phenotype.