OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and prognostic features in primary cutaneous CD8+ T-cell lymphomas, which are rare and considered to be aggressive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. SETTING: Lymphoma clinic (referral center) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Three patients presented with CD8+ cutaneous lymphoma characterized by a patchlike pattern and hyperpigmentation. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed a CD3+, CD8+ small-cell infiltrate showing a remarkable affinity to the dermoepidermal junction zone. Clonality for the T-cell receptor gamma chain was detected by polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The clinical presentation lasted several years (6 and 9 years, respectively) before the correct diagnosis was made. Treatment with nontoxic approaches (UV-B and local steroids) was successful. Aggressive clinical behavior was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our 3 cases of junctional CD8+ cutaneous T-cell lymphomas were characterized by hyperpigmentation and nonaggressive clinical behavior. This type of lymphoma, which can be considered a CD8+ mycosis fungoides variant, must be distinguished from other types of cutaneous CD8+ lymphomas so that overtreatment can be avoided.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and prognostic features in primary cutaneous CD8+ T-cell lymphomas, which are rare and considered to be aggressive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. SETTING:Lymphoma clinic (referral center) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Three patients presented with CD8+ cutaneous lymphoma characterized by a patchlike pattern and hyperpigmentation. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed a CD3+, CD8+ small-cell infiltrate showing a remarkable affinity to the dermoepidermal junction zone. Clonality for the T-cell receptor gamma chain was detected by polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The clinical presentation lasted several years (6 and 9 years, respectively) before the correct diagnosis was made. Treatment with nontoxic approaches (UV-B and local steroids) was successful. Aggressive clinical behavior was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our 3 cases of junctional CD8+ cutaneous T-cell lymphomas were characterized by hyperpigmentation and nonaggressive clinical behavior. This type of lymphoma, which can be considered a CD8+ mycosis fungoides variant, must be distinguished from other types of cutaneous CD8+ lymphomas so that overtreatment can be avoided.
Authors: James T Edinger; Beth Z Clark; Brian E Pucevich; Larisa J Geskin; Steven H Swerdlow Journal: Am J Surg Pathol Date: 2009-12 Impact factor: 6.394