Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is one of the more common peripheral T-cell lymphomas. AITL represents approximately 1%-2% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas and approximately 20% of peripheral T-cell lymphomas. The median age of diagnosis is 65 years. AITL is thought to arise from follicular helper T-cells.

Patients often present with acute onset of symptoms with lymphadenopathy, fevers, unintentional weight loss, night sweats, and hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. Approximately 20%-50% of patients present with cutaneous findings, including an exanthematous eruption, urticaria, and infiltrated papules and nodules. Generalized pruritus may be an early symptom. AITL can mimic an immune system disorder with many similar signs such as joint pain, swelling, ascites, pleural effusion, and/or hemolytic anemia. It is often difficult to diagnose for this reason. Lymph node biopsy demonstrates a polymorphous infiltrate with proliferation of follicular dendritic cells and high endothelial venules.

Prognosis of AITL is often poor with a high mortality rate of 50%-75%. The 5-year median survival rate is 32%, which varies depending on certain prognostic factors.