Local facial edema: a novel presentation of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma in a 30-year-old Iranian woman.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is an infrequent cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma of the skin with a unique immunophenotypic profile. Here we describe this lymphoma in a 30-year-old Iranian woman. She presented with periorbital edema, mandibular swelling with edematous areas on her face and two small lymph nodes (6-7mm) in the cervical area. Histopathological findings revealed lobular infiltration of atypical lymphoid cells in subcutaneous tissue, especially around individual fat cells. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the atypical lymphocytes showed CD3 and CD8 immunoreactivity and CD4 and CD56 negativity. She was diagnosed as SPTCL based on clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. This report suggests that SPTCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any atypical skin lesion involving subcutaneous fat. Suitable deep skin biopsy and immunohistochemical staining are essential to differentiate between SPTCL and other more common diagnoses.