CUTANEOUS T-CELL LYMPHOMA OF THE EYELID IN A PATIENT WITH ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is significantly less common than B-c ell lymphoma in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ). Periocular involvement by CTCL usually occurs in the setting of mor e widespread plaque or tumor-stage disease; therefore, CTCL localized solely to the periocular region is rare. We report the case of a 38-ye ar-old Hispanic woman with AIDS and an enlarging tumor of the left upp er eyelid. The clinical differential diagnosis included various infect ions and neoplasms. Examination of an incisional biopsy specimen revea led a dense infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes that labeled as T cells with use of the immunoperoxidase technique. The tumor subsequently re gressed with local radiotherapy. Eyelid CTCL is reviewed and the diffe rential diagnosis of eyelid lesions is reviewed.