A case of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma with ‘Hodgkin‐like’ appearance and skin involvement mimicking lymphomatoid papulosis

We report a unique case of the CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). A 44‐year‐old Japanese male presented with lymphadenopathy followed by skin involvement. Initially, a swollen cervical lymph node was recognized in 1989 and relapsed in 1991, which was histologically diagnosed as Hodgkin disease of nodular sclerotic type. In 1996, he presented ulcerative cutaneous nodules and swollen lymph nodes in his left inguinal region, which was then diagnosed with CD30+ ALCL. Both the lymphadenopathy and the skin lesion had been completely remitted by combining chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Thereafter, he had relapsing and remitting episodes of multiple papules and nodules on his face, trunk and extremities for 10 years. Repeated histopathological examination revealed similar tumor cell proliferation in the papules/nodules of the skin. Essentially similar immunohistochemical features, including CD30 and granzyme B expression, but not anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), strongly suggested that all these tumors were sequential expression of one disease continued for 19 years. This case was finally diagnosed as CD30+ ALCL with unique skin involvement mimicking lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP). Kiniwa Y, Ide Y, Fukushima M, Asano N, Saida T. A case of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma with ‘Hodgkin‐like’ appearance and skin involvement mimicking lymphomatoid papulosis.     

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma with intralymphatic involvement associated with chronic lymphedema

Chronic lymphedema predisposes to develop malignant cutaneous tumors, including angiosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma and B‐cell lymphoma. T‐cell malignancy has rarely been associated with chronic lymph stasis. Here, we report a case of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) with lymphatic spread associated with chronic lymphedema. The patient is a 56‐year‐old man who received orchiectomy and right inguinal lymphadenectomy for malignant seminoma 10 years ago, which led to prominent lymphedema of the right leg. He developed extensive skin nodules on the lymphedematous area for 3 months. Histopathology findings confirmed a diagnosis of pcALCL, which is a subtype of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of CD30+ T cells. Intralymphatic infiltration of malignant cells is prominent. The pathogenesis of intralymphatic cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma is largely unknown. Our case suggests that chronic lymphedema resulted in persistent CD4+ T‐cell inflammation, which then may contribute to the development of pcALCL.     

CD56 expression in a case of primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma

We describe clinicopathological features of an unusual case of CD30+/CD56+ T-cell lymphoma in a 58-year-old Korean man who presented with disseminated nodules, papules and hyperpigmented patches. Coexpression of CD30 and CD56 in T-cell lymphoma is very rare. Our patient did not respond to an intensive chemotherapy regimen, in contrast to the previously reported cases of primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Coexpression of CD56 might therefore identify a subset of CD30+ lymphomas with more aggressive features.     

Myxoid variant of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma: First 2 cases

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30+ T‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma with 2 main clinical presentations: primary cutaneous ALCL (pcALCL) and systemic ALCL (sALCL). While rare cases of myxoid sALCL have been reported, there are no previous cases of myxoid pcALCL reported. We present 2 unusual cases of pcALCL showing prominent collections of dermal mucin closely intermingling with the anaplastic lymphocytes. Patient 1 was a 30‐year‐old woman who presented with ulcerated nodules on her neck, abdomen, chest and shoulders. A systemic lymphoma was excluded by physical examination, positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET‐CT) scan, as well as by bone marrow biopsy and flow cytometry studies. The patient was closely followed‐up for 10 months without evidence of systemic involvement. The biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of the dermis by a CD2+, CD30+, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐negative ALCL. Patient 2 was a 55‐year‐old woman who presented with a single nodule on her right arm. A systemic lymphoma was excluded by physical examination as well as by a PET‐CT scan. The biopsy showed diffuse and dense lymphoid infiltration of the whole biopsy by a CD3+, CD4+, CD30+, ALK‐negative ALCL. The atypical lymphocytes were intermingled with large amounts of dermal stromal mucin.     

原发性皮肤CD30~+间变性大细胞淋巴瘤一例

患者,男,50岁。背部、前胸多发结节伴轻压痛半年余。皮损组织病理检查示:表皮角化过度、棘层肥厚;真皮全层及皮下组织间变性弥漫肿瘤细胞浸润、瘤细胞体积大,可见核分裂相。免疫组化结果:85%CD30强阳性,Ki-67约40%(+),CD3(++),LCA(+)。诊断:原发性皮肤CD30~+间变性大细胞淋巴瘤,T细胞型。     

CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder: primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma followed by lymphomatoid papulosis

CD30+ large anaplastic lymphoid cells are seen in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and also in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and other lymphoproliferative disorders. It can be difficult precisely to categorize these disorders with CD30+ cells. We report a case of primary cutaneous CD30+ ALCL with systemic metastases in whom the clinical disease subsequently evolved into LyP. The patient was initially administered cisplatin and etoposide and made a good response. Eighteen months later, recurrent, self-healing cutaneous small nodules appeared around the original tumour site without any systemic involvement. Histopathological examination of the recurrent lesions revealed infiltration with a mixture of cells that included neutrophils, eosinophils and CD30+ large anaplastic cells cytologically identical with those in the primary lesion. The anaplastic cells in both the primary and recurrent lesions were positive for monoclonal antibodies CD30, CD25 and a monoclonal antibody directed against the chimeric protein p80(NPM-ALK). These observations suggest the possibility that the ALCL and the subsequent LyP represent different clinical manifestations of proliferation of the same clone.     

Human herpesvirus type 8 and Epstein–Barr virus-associated cutaneous lymphoma taking anaplastic large cell morphology in a man with HIV infection

Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus)-positive lymphoma taking anaplastic large cell morphology in the skin is described in a 46-year-old man with AIDS. Multiple erythematous nodules appeared on the trunk and extremities during the treatment of AIDS. Histological examination of cutaneous nodules showed dense infiltration of CD30 + atypical lymphoid cells in the deep dermis. Immunoglobulin JH gene rearrangement was detected in these lymphoma cells. Both Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA and HHV-8 mRNA (T1.1/nut-1) were detected in these lymphoma cells by in situ hybridization. Remarkable retention of the pericardial fluid was observed at the same time that cutaneous lesions grew, and lymphoma cells in the pericardial fluid showed the same phenotype as the cutaneous lymphoma. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone effectively reduced both the cutaneous nodules and pericardial fluid. However, the patient died 4 months after diagnosis because of cytomegalovirus infection. As far as we know, this is the first report of an HHV-8-positive cutaneous lymphoma taking anaplastic large cell morphology. This case suggests the association of AIDS-related anaplastic large cell lymphoma with HHV-8.     

Primary cutaneous multifocal CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma

A 45-year-old male presented with asymptomatic tumors all over the body. The tumors showed no signs of ulceration or regression. There were generalized, nontender, firm to hard enlarged lymph nodes without hepatosplenomegaly. Biopsy and immunophenotyping revealed CD 30+ anaplastic primary cutaneous large cell lymphoma. Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma is characterized by single or grouped reddish-brown tumor nodules, which frequently tend to ulcerate. Secondary involvement of lymph nodes is seen in only 25%. The lesions responded dramatically to chemotherapy, but recurred.     

Primary cutaneous anaplastic CD30+ large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous anaplastic CD30+ large cell lymphoma (PCALCL) is part of the spectrum of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders together with lymphomatoid papulosis. It affects mainly elderly patients and presents as skin nodules that tend to ulcerate. Histological and immunohistochemical study show the expression of CD30 antigen in more than 75 % of neoplastic cells. Currently it is considered a low grade lymphoma with favourable prognosis and good response to treatments such as local radiotherapy, methotrexate or surgery. We report a 93-year-old patient with ulcerated nodules in her right leg. Histological and immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of PCALCL, of non-B, non-T origin. The patient was treated with local radiotherapy with progressive resolution of skin nodules and absence of relapse at 6 months follow-up.     

CD30 positive anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma mimicking Langerhans cell histiocytosis

The presence of CD 1a+ dendritic cells (DC) has been well described in T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorders, and the presence of large numbers of DCs has rarely been reported as a mimicker of Langerhans cell histiocytsis (LCH). We present the case of a 56‐year‐old female with a solitary nodule on the chin whose case was referred to our institution for confirmation of the diagnosis of LCH. Skin biopsy showed an ulcerated nodule containing a wedge‐shaped infiltrate comprised of large atypical cells and cells with prominent grooved nuclei. The constellation of histologic and immunologic features favored a CD30 lymphoproliferative disorder of T‐cell lineage even though there were accompanying numerous dendritic histiocytes and CD1a positive Langerhans cells. The sheets of CD30 positive atypical lymphoid cells which express T‐cell markers were consistent with CD30 positive lymphoproliferative disease and favor CD30 positive anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL) over Langerhans histiocytosis. The absence of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) staining favored a primary cutaneous origin. This case signifies a CD 30+ ALCL of the skin which histopathologically mimics a LCH. Ezra N, Van Dyke GS, Binder SW. CD30 positive anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL) mimicking Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).     

Metastasising malignant lymphoma mimicking necrotising and hyperplastic gingivostomatitis.

This paper presents the case of a 65 year-old woman suffering from recurrent oral aphthoid ulcers which rapidly evolved towards hyperplastic and ulcerated lesions over the entire floor of the mouth. The initial lesions were interpreted as non-specific aphthoid ulcers. Later, a tentative diagnosis of necrotising stomatitis with secondary reactive proliferating epithelial hyperplasia was made. The clinical symptoms and the immuno-phenotyping of lymphocytes circulating in the peripheral blood suggested the diagnosis of CD30-positive large cell anaplastic lymphoma. The biopsy showed only a pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, reactive infiltrates and no lymphoma cells. The disease ran a fulminant course leading to death within 4 weeks due to acute gastro-intestinal bleeding. Autopsy revealed infiltrates of CD30+ large cell anaplastic lymphoma in a submandibular lymph node, in a thrombus stenosing the right subclavian vein, in the spleen, the anterior and posterior gastric wall as well as in the depth of the tumour on the floor of the mouth. The clinical and histopathological spectrum of CD30+ large cell anaplastic lymphoma is considerably variable. The particular feature of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia has been reported especially in CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas. An early correct diagnosis is rendered difficult in insufficient biopsy size, becauses this type of lymphoma often simulates other inflammatory or neoplastic skin diseases. Thus, with a necrotising and hyperplastic gingivostomatitis, the diagnosis of a CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma should be considered.     

Anaplastic large-cell T-cell lymphoma

A 64-year-old woman presented with 2 years of pruritic and ulcerated nodules and tumors on the trunk and arms. Histopathologic examination showed a diffuse infiltrate that consisted of predominantly small lymphocytes and scattered large atypical multinucleated cells positive for CD30. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of anaplastic large-cell T-cell lymphoma, which is a CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma. This case highlights the importance of considering both histopathologic and clinical criteria in diagnosing a patient with a CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma.     

Distinct effects of CD30 and Fas signaling in cutaneous anaplastic lymphomas: a possible mechanism for disease progression

Lymphomatoid papulosis is part of a spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by spontaneous tumor regression. The mechanism(s) of regression is unknown. In a recent study, a selective increase in CD30 ligand expression in regressing lesions of lymphomatoid papulosis and cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma was shown, suggesting that activation of the CD30 signaling pathway may be responsible for tumor regression, whereas no difference in Fas/Fas ligand expression was found between regressing and nonregressing lesions. Therefore we tested the effects of CD30 and Fas activation on three CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma cell lines (Mac-1, Mac-2 A, JK) derived from nonregressing tumors of two patients who had progressed from lymphomatoid papulosis to systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma. To evaluate the effects of CD30 signaling, the cell lines were incubated with a CD30 agonistic antibody, HeFi-1. Proliferative responses, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor kappa B activities were determined with and without CD30 activation. Mac-1 and Mac-2 A showed increased proliferative responses to incubation with CD30 activating antibody, HeFi-1. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity caused growth inhibition of the Mac-1, Mac-2 A, and JK cell lines. Activation of the Fas pathway induced apoptosis in all three cell lines. Taken together, these findings suggest that resistance to CD30-mediated growth inhibition provides a possible mechanism for escape of cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma from tumor regression. Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors are potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of advanced cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol 115:1034-1040, 2000     

Management of multifocal primary cutaneous CD30 anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma in adults is rare, but the prognosis is generally excellent. Skin lesions may be localized or, less commonly, multifocal. Although not extensively reported, multifocal primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma tends to relapse after systemic chemotherapy and is generally considered more prone to progress to extracutaneous involvement than the localized disease. We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma manifesting as widespread papules and nodules. Despite remaining localized to the skin, the disease relapsed after multiple chemotherapy regimens and autologous stem-cell transplantation. Treatment with an experimental anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody was successful. Review of this case and similar cases illustrates that traditional combination chemotherapy may not be best. Newer treatments, including anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies, show promise. However, further study is needed to develop optimal therapeutic strategies.     

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC‐ALCL) is a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) of the skin with a relatively good prognosis in the absence of high‐stage disease. CD30+ LPDs comprise approximately 25%‐30% of primary cutaneous lymphomas and as a group represent the second most common clonal T‐cell neoplasm of the skin behind mycosis fungoides. Diagnosis of PC‐ALCL relies strongly on clinicopathologic correlation given the potential morphologic, clinical and molecular overlap with the other cutaneous CD30+ LPD, lymphomatoid papulosis, and more aggressive hematolymphoid neoplasms.     

Disseminated CD8‐positive,CD30‐positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative eruption with overlapping features of mycosis fungoides and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma following remote solitary lesional presentation

CD8‐positive, CD30‐positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders constitute a rare subset of T‐cell lymphoproliferative conditions, including variants of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), mycosis fungoides, lymphomatoid papulosis type D, cutaneous gamma‐delta T‐cell lymphoma and cutaneous peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. These entities share overlapping clinical, histopathologic and immunophenotypic features, presenting both a clinical and pathological diagnostic challenge. Presented here is a 73‐year‐old man with a disseminated, indolent CD30+, CD8+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder with overlapping clinical and histopathological features of both mycosis fungoides and primary cutaneous ALCL, as well as features of lymphomatoid papulosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a generalized CD8+, CD30+ eruption with features of both mycosis fungoides and primary cutaneous ALCL arising following an episode of solitary primary cutaneous CD8‐positive ALCL.     

原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病临床病理分析

目的 探讨原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病的临床及病理学特征。方法 对4例淋巴瘤样丘疹病及5例原发性皮肤间变性大细胞淋巴瘤的临床、病理学特征及免疫组化表达进行分析。结果 淋巴瘤样丘疹病分为A、B、C三型,组织学上形成一个连续的谱系,A型见多形性间变性大细胞或Sternberg-Reed样细胞散在分布或小片状分布在多量炎性细胞背景中;B型类似蕈样肉芽肿病变,表现为真皮层较宽的淋巴细胞浸润带,其中散在少量小至中等异形脑回样淋巴细胞;C型以间变性大细胞弥漫分布为特征,但临床上可自行消退。原发性皮肤间变性大细胞以皮下结节或皮肤丘疹就诊,瘤细胞体积大,呈多形性、圆形或椭圆形,胞质丰富,嗜酸或呈双色性,核大,核仁明显。两组病变中的大细胞均特征性表达CD30,预后均较好。结论 原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病是一组预后较好的皮肤T细胞性淋巴瘤谱系,综合临床表现、组织病理改变、免疫组化有助于本病的诊断。     

Primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma treated with radiotherapy and methotrexate with development of xanthomas at the sites of prior disease

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare type of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, and the involvement of the ocular adnexa is extremely rare. Secondary xanthoma‐like changes after radiation therapy or chemotherapy have been rarely reported in association with large‐cell T‐cell anaplastic lymphoma. We report one case of a primary C‐anaplastic large cell lymphoma affecting the eyelid with fast progression with multiple nodules in various anatomic sites and development of xanthoma‐like lesions after treatment.     

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma: a case report

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (PCALCL) is a part of the spectrum of CD30+ lymphoproliferative cutaneous processes. The characteristics include single or multifocal nodules that ulcerate as skin lesion, slow disease progression, autoregressive, and recurrent in few years. The present study report the case of a 16‐year‐old boy presenting PCALCL with single nodules, ulcer, keloid, and scab in his right‐side face. He showed a good response to the treatment with systemic chemotherapy and dermatoplasty, and regained confidence after the appearance of recovery. There is no relapse of the primary lesion and organs involved till now. The chemotherapy combining with surgical excision and dermatoplasty is a good method for PCALCL, per the lesion biopsy and positron emission tomography‐computed tomography before and after treatment.     

累及中枢神经系统的皮肤CD30~+间变性大细胞淋巴瘤1例

患者男,75岁,反复皮肤肿块11年。1个月前第3次复发伴语言、记忆和生活自理能力减退。头颅MRI示:左额叶,右顶叶多发占位,颅内淋巴瘤浸润。左大腿肿块组织病理示:真皮内大量异型细胞,体积较大,形态不规则,核扭曲,核分裂相可见;免疫组化:CD3(+),UCHL-1(+),CD30(+),ALK(-),MIB-1>90%。诊断:皮肤CD30+间变性大细胞淋巴瘤。中枢神经系统(central nerve system,CNS)累及可以是皮肤间变性大细胞淋巴瘤发生皮外累及的唯一部位,患者的意识改变是进行CNS筛查的重要提示。