# Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma With Skin Involvement: A Case Report

**Authors:** Evelyn Itzamara Figueroa Saavedra, María Fernanda Molina Hernández, Mario Shuchleib Cukiert, Cristina Berumen-Glinz, Marcela Hernández-Vera, Judith Dominguez-Cherit, Sonia Toussaint Caire

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.100695 · Cureus · 2026-01-03

## TL;DR

This paper reports a case of a rare and aggressive lymphoma involving the skin, highlighting its diagnostic challenges and treatment approaches.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a specific case of ENKTL with skin involvement, emphasizing its clinical presentation and management.

## Key findings

- ENKTL with skin involvement is rare and often mimics infections, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- Radiotherapy is effective for limited-stage disease, while chemotherapy is used for advanced cases.
- EBV infection is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of ENKTL.

## Abstract

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive neoplasm derived from cytotoxic T cells or natural killer (NK) cells, with higher prevalence in Asia and Latin America. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis, being detected in most cases through in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER). ENKTL predominantly affects men between 40 and 50 years of age, mainly involving the upper aerodigestive tract, particularly the nose and nasopharynx. However, it can also present in extranasal sites, where it tends to behave more aggressively. Clinical manifestations include cutaneous lesions with variable presentations that often mimic infections, delaying diagnosis. In limited-stage disease, radiotherapy (RT) is the treatment of choice, while advanced disease requires chemotherapy regimens, although no universally accepted standard protocol currently exists.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Epstein-Barr virus infection (MONDO:0005111)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** infections (MESH:D007239), neoplasm (MESH:D009369), ENKTL (MESH:D000077428), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (MESH:D020031), cutaneous lesions (MESH:D009059)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12863411/full.md

## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12863411/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12863411