Cutaneous extranodal natural killer (NK) / T - cell lymphoma: A comprehensive clinical features and outcomes analysis of 71 cases

Abstract Background The skin is the common extranasal sites in extranodal natural killer (NK) / T - cell lymphoma, (ENKTL). However, data regarding cutaneous ENKTL are relatively scarce. Thus, we performed a large retrospective study to analyze clinical features and treatment outcomes of cutaneous ENKTL. Patients and methods Seventy-one patients with cutaneous ENKTL newly diagnosed between 2001 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed from Sun Yat-sen cancer center. Results The median overall survival (OS) was 15.5 months (95% confidence interval: 8.0 - 22.1 months). Age, treatment strategy, and treatment response were independent prognostic factors for cutaneous ENKTL. Patients who could undergo chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy showed a significantly better survival than those treated with chemotherapy alone (p  Conclusion We reported by far the largest series of cutaneous ENKTL, and demonstrated its aggressive clinical behavior and unsatisfying response to the current therapeutic strategies. Further investigations are required for the better understanding and management of this uncommon disease.