Case Report: Orbital Tumor Revealing Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Associated with Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Aug;99(2):435-438. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0137. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Abstract

Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a sight- and life-threatening complication of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. Ophthalmic manifestations include uveitis, optic nerve oedema, retinal vasculitis, and lymphomatous infiltration. Orbital lesions are rare. We report the case of an orbital tumor revealing systemic ATLL in a 45-year-old Dominican patient who died despite treatment. Apart from late-grade cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, ATLL is the only T-lymphoma to develop in the orbit. Diagnosis is based on serologic evidence of HTLV-1 infection, cytology, and blood sample analysis. Biopsy is deemed necessary. Given the poor prognosis of ATLL and the worldwide presentation of HTLV-1, physicians should consider ATLL in the differential diagnosis of orbital malignant tumor and look for HTLV-1 infection in populations at risk.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye / pathology
  • Eye / virology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • HTLV-I Infections / complications*
  • HTLV-I Infections / diagnosis
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / virology*