Abstract： Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET),and to improve the understanding of LET.Methods Clinical data on 4 cases of LET collected from 2008 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.Results All of the 4 patients had characteristic clinical presentation (tumefy erythema) at sun exposed areas with photosensitivity,which could be exacerbated by sun exposure.Most of immunological parameters of lupus erythematosus were negative in these patients.Histopathological examination revealed mucin deposition in the reticular layer of dermis and Alcian blue staining was positive.Marked improvement was achieved in all of the patients after 6 to 12 months of treatment with oral hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice daily.Follow up of the patients was underway.Conclusions LET is a subtype of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus.To strengthen the knowledge of LET may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of this entity.