Leukemia cutis in acute monocytic leukemia

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Acute monocytic leukemia (AML) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia.
• Cutaneous involvement in AML, while uncommon, can indicate systemic relapse.

Observation:

• A patient with acute monocytic leukemia presented with significant abdominal leukemic infiltration.
• This cutaneous involvement coincided with a systemic relapse of the leukemia.

Findings:

• Histologic examination of skin biopsy revealed diffuse leukemic cell infiltration in the dermis.
• Remarkably, blood vessels and skin adnexa were preserved despite the aggressive nature of the leukemia.

Implications:

• This case expands understanding of AML's diverse clinical presentations.
• It suggests that cutaneous manifestations can occur even with preserved underlying skin structures.
• Further research may explore the mechanisms behind this selective preservation in leukemic infiltration.