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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
09:37
Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Cutaneous presentation of follicular lymphomas
R Franco1, A Fernández-Vázquez, M Mollejo
1Department of Biomorphological and Functional Science, Federico II University of Napoli, Italy.
Summary
Disseminated follicular lymphoma can mimic primary skin lymphoma. The presence of the t(14;18) translocation in skin biopsies may indicate widespread disease, suggesting systemic chemotherapy for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Dermatopathology
Background:
- Distinguishing primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma from disseminated disease involving the skin is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Follicular lymphoma is a common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can affect the skin.
Observation:
- Four cases of Stage IV follicular lymphoma are presented, where skin lesions were the primary clinical manifestation.
- Morphological features in skin biopsies resembled typical nodal follicular lymphoma.
- Immunophenotyping revealed CD10, bcl6, and bcl2 positivity, with t(14;18) translocation in 3/3 cases.
Findings:
- All four patients had disseminated disease confirmed by bone marrow studies and clinical staging.
- A control group of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma cases lacked the t(14;18) translocation.
- Relapsing cutaneous and nodal disease was observed in two patients.
Implications:
- Disseminated follicular lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of follicular lymphoma presenting in the skin.
- The presence of t(14;18) translocation may suggest disease spread beyond the skin.
- Patients with t(14;18) translocation may benefit from systemic polychemotherapy.
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