Unusual presentation of angiocentric T-cell lymphoma mimicking perianal abscess

Abstract

Background: Subcutaneous angiocentric T cell is a common form of cutaneous lymphoma localized within subcutis mimicking lobular panniculitis. It is rarely manifested as perianal skin lesion.

Objective: To suggest that perianal T-cell lymphoma is a rare entity that should be included in the differential diagnosis of perianal infiltrate mimicking perianal abscess.

Methods and results: A 65-year-old woman presented with painful perianal infiltrate mimicking a perianal abscess. The pain lasted seven days and there was no evidence of fever. Bacterial examination of tissue of the infiltrate discovered Staphylococcus aureus. Angiocentric T-cell lymphoma was demonstrated on biopsy.

Conclusion: Our case represented sequela of subcutaneous angiocentric T-cell malignant lymphoma with a complication of a secondary infection mimicking perianal abscess. In patients presenting with a perianal infiltrate without abscess, a malignant condition should be considered a differential diagnosis and a biopsy should be performed.