Involvement of the anus by a malignant lymphoma is rare, but occurs with a high incidence in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients, with most cases having a B-cell phenotype. Although NK/T cell lymphomas; the nasal type, often present with skin or gastrointestinal tract involvement, there has been no reported cases of anal involvement in Korea. Herein, we describe the case of a 23-year-old man who presented with fever, weight loss and a perianal abscess. A biopsy specimen of the anus revealed an extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma of the nasal type. In-situ hybridization for the Epstein-Barr Virus proved positive. Despite the use of combination chemotherapy, the patient died due to the disease 2 months after diagnosis. In patients presenting with a perianal lesion, other involved sites, as well as B symptoms, lymphoma involvement of the anus should be considered, with a biopsy of the anus performed.

Keywords: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin, Anus, Epstein-Barr virus