title: Initial report of a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma appearing on the auricular helix.
abstract: We report a case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in which the first sign of disease was involvement of the superior auricular helix. A review of the literature reveals that T-cell lymphoma often presents cutaneously, but it usually does not involve the ear, and an auricular lesion is rarely the first sign. The uncommon nature of this presentation, in addition to the potential need for multiple biopsies for a tissue diagnosis, can lead to a delay in diagnosis. When evaluating skin lesions in the head and neck, a high index of suspicion for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a key factor in its early diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash. 98431, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eusterman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massengill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male