Skin relapse of acute myeloid leukemia associated with trisomy 8

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a morphologically diverse group of hematopoietic malignancies characterized by proliferation of immature cells that arise in the myeloid progenitor cells of the bone marrow. It shows cutaneous lesions relatively rarely. The most common cutaneous manifestation is the appearance of one or several tumors. An association of AML with skin involvement and trisomy 8 has rarely been reported. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman that presented with fatigue, nausea, dyspnea, and night sweats. On physical examination we found no hepatosplenomegaly, peripheral lymphadenopathy, or skin abnormalities. Hematological examination revealed Hb: 8.4 g/dl, PLT: 35,000/ml, WBC 105,000/ml, and blasts 51%. Bone marrow aspiration showed blasts 88%. Cytogenetic findings in the marrow showed trisomy 8. The patient received 3 courses of systemic chemotherapy with aracytin and idarubicin and then, while she was in remission, multiple red nodules developed on the upper and lower limbs. A skin nodule from the right arm was excised and histology showed a diffuse infiltration of the dermis consisting of large cells with round to oval nuclei and little basophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry was performed and the neoplastic cells showed strong positivity for MPO but were negative for LCA. Accordingly, a diagnosis of AML involving the skin was made. The patient received another course of systemic chemotherapy with aracytin and idarubicin and is in good condition.