Real-World Insights Into the Clinical Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Extranodal Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas: A Multiethnic Asian Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Extranodal peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) comprise a diverse group of lymphomas whose real-world presentation and course are infrequently studied.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of 50 patients at a tertiary cancer center in Singapore between 2002 and 2024.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 26 males and 24 females, with a median age of 50 years (range 16-84 years). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 20.2% and 66.6%, respectively. Male sex (p = 0.03) and lack of complete response to initial treatment (p < 0.001) predicted poorer PFS. Age > 60 years (p < 0.001), nodal involvement (p = 0.02), gastrointestinal origin (p < 0.001), > 1 extranodal site of involvement (p = 0.02), and International Prognostic Index score > 2 (p < 0.001) predicted poorer OS. We also studied two subtypes: subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) (n = 7) and monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) (n = 7). Patients with SPTCL had a median age of 29 years and presented with lesions mimicking reactive lymph nodes (43%), lipomas (29%), or erythema nodosum (14%); no mortality was noted in our series. Patients with MEITL had a median age of 68 years and presented with bowel emergencies including perforation (57%), bleeding (14%), and obstruction (14%); all patients progressed or relapsed, and 5 demised-3 with small bowel relapse, 2 with central nervous system relapse.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides insights into extranodal PTCLs and serves to guide our management of these rare lymphomas. Trial Registration: The authors have confirmed clinical trial registration is not needed for this submission.