[Ocular natural killer/T cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis].

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological features of ocular natural killer(NK)/T cell lymphoma. Methods: Data of 21 patients (22 eyes) with ocular NK/T cell lymphoma treated at Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from January 2006 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical data, morphology, immunophenotype and outcomes. Results: There were 10 males and 11 females with ages from 3 to 77 years (mean, 43 years). There were 20 unilateral cases (10 left eyes and 10 right eyes) and 1 bilateral case. Except for 1 case of corneal perforation resulting from the involvement of the conjunctiva and cornea, the other cases all involved the orbit (including eyelids and conjunctiva) as demonstrated by radiologic studies, with the lacrimal sac involved in 3 cases, and the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus involved in 2 cases. Three patients had been previously diagnosed sinonasal NK/T cell lymphoma with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients had a history of ovarian NK/T cell lymphoma with chemotherapy. One patient had multiple ulcers of skin and mucosa at presentation. There were 13 primary ocular NK/T cell lymphomas without evidence of nasal or systemic involvement. All patients presented with eyelid swelling and decreased visual acuity. There were proptosis in 18 cases, motility restriction in 13 cases, eyelid ulceration in 3 cases, and fever in 4 cases. They had all been previously diagnosed as orbital pseudotumor or cellulitis and there was no response to steroids and antibiotics. Pathological examination showed atypical lymphoid infiltration with an angioinvasive growth pattern causing coagulative necrosis. Cytologically, the medium-sized neoplastic cells showed irregular folded nuclei. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytoplasmic CD3ε, CD56, and cytotoxic molecules and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Ten patients died 2.0 to 17.0 months after diagnosis (mean, 6.3 months) despite treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusions: Ocular NK/T cell lymphoma is a rare form of ocular lymphoma. There are primary NK/T cell lymphoma and secondary ocular NK/T cell lymphoma with nasal or systemic involvement. The rarity of this tumor and inflammatory signs make it challenging to identify these tumors early. The neoplastic cells are positive for cytoplasmic CD3ε, CD56, cytotoxic molecules and EBER in situ hybridization. Despite aggressive therapy, it demonstrates high lethality with poor prognosis. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 374-380).