Intralymphatic Spread Is a Common Finding in Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cutaneous CD30 lymphoproliferative disorders encompass anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP).
• An intralymphatic variant of these disorders has been recently described, suggesting potential lymphatic vessel involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the frequency of lymphatic vessel involvement by neoplastic cells in cutaneous CD30 lymphoproliferative disorders.
• To assess the prognostic significance of lymphatic vessel involvement in these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 60 cases of cutaneous ALCL and 16 cases of LyP.
• D2-40 immunohistochemical staining was employed to identify lymphatic vessels and their involvement by neoplastic cells.

Main Results:

• Lymphatic vessel involvement was detected in 60% of ALCL cases and 37.5% of LyP cases.
• Follow-up data from 28 ALCL patients and 11 LyP patients indicated no negative prognostic implication associated with lymphatic vessel involvement.

Conclusions:

• Cutaneous CD30 lymphoproliferative disorders frequently exhibit lymphatic vessel invasion.
• The observed lymphotropism may explain the intralymphatic variant of ALCL and LyP.