Eosinophilic fasciitis preceding relapse of peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Although eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) may precede hematologic malignancy or Hodgkin's disease, association with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is ex tremely rare. Only four cases of EF preceding or concomitant PTCL have been reported in the world literature. We experienced the first Korean case of EF complicated by the later relapse of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A 63-yea r-old Korean male has been followed at our outpatient clinic periodically a fter treatment for stage IV PTCL. He had been in complete remission for sev en and a half years when he developed edema of both lower extremities follo wed by sclerodermatous skin change in both hands with peripheral eosinophil ia. Biopsy from the left hand showed fibrous thickening of the fascia with lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltrate, consistent with EF. Twenty-f ive months later, a newly developed lymph node from the left neck showed re currence of PTCL. EF may occur as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with the relapse of PTCL. Therefore, in a patient with EF, the possibility of c oexisting and/or future occurrence of hematologic neoplasm should be consid ered.