Objective To explore the clinical manifestation, pathological features, effective treatment regimen and prognosis of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma (SPTCL) patients.

Methods We analyzed retrospectively the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and treatment of five SPTCL patients who were confirmed pathologically.

Results Atypical lymphocytic infiltration in the subcutaneous adipose tissue was found in all five patients. Tumor cells showed immunophenotype of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Painless subcutaneous nodules were found in all patients: two patients with fever and one patient with bone marrow infiltration. All patients were in advanced stage(stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ), and four patients were in good condition (ECOG score was 1), two patients with high level of LDH and three patients with high level of β2-MG. Three cases used CHOP for initial treatment, one case used BACOP and one case used BEACOP. Up to now, one case died, one case was lost to visit, and other three cases had complete remission. The median survival time was 44 (3-100) months, and the median progression-free survival time was 8 (0-96) months.

Conclusion The incidence of SPTCL is extremely low, mainly involving the subcutaneous adipose tissue. There is no uniform treatment so far. CHOP on advanced patients has poor efficacy. High intensity chemotherapy with etoposide may become the effective treatment.