[Primary cutaneous CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma]

To analyse the clinical manifestations, pathological and immunohistochemical features of 9 cases of primary cutaneous CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in order to improve the criteria for its early and differential diagnosis.

Histopathological method was used to study the morphological characteristics. Immunohistochemical stainings (SP or ABC method) for leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD20, CD30, CD45RO, CD68, epithelium membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CK) and HMB45 were applied to the routine paraffin sections of all the 9 cases.

The 9 cases of primary cutaneous CD30-positive ALCL consisting of 6 males and 3 females, aged 31 to 84 years (mean 58.2 years). All patients presented with subcutaneous masses or papular eruptions on lower trunk and extremities. Histopathologically, the lesions were composed of numerous large round, oval or pleomorphic cells with abundant cytoplasm, amphophilic or basophilic, and large nucleus with distinct nucleolus. Mitosis was often observed. Multinucleated giant cells and Reed-Sternberg cells may be seen. The neoplastic cells displayed positive antigen markers for CD30 in 9 cases, 6 positive for CD45RO and 3 cases negative for both CD45RO and CD20. Two patients died of metastasis, 2 patients experienced recurrence and 5 patients still well during follow-up.

Primary cutaneous CD30-positive ALCL is a morphologically distinctive neoplasm with a comparatively favorable prognosis. This tumor can be differentiated from other malignant tumors on the basis of histopathologic features and positive CD30 which is of significance.