Clinical characterization of leukemia cutis presentation

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Leukemia cutis (LC) is a rare extramedullary manifestation of leukemia, characterized by the infiltration of neoplastic cells into the skin.
• Existing literature on LC primarily consists of case reports and small case series, limiting comprehensive understanding of its clinical spectrum and prognostic implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical presentation of leukemia cutis.
• To investigate the association between leukemia cutis and leukemia evolution.
• To evaluate the prognostic impact of leukemia cutis in patients with leukemia.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of medical records was conducted at a single institution.
• Analysis included biopsy-proven leukemia cutis cases diagnosed in patients with leukemia.
• Data collected encompassed clinical characteristics and patient prognosis; 46 patients met inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• Leukemia cutis most frequently occurred in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but was also observed in other leukemia types.
• LC lesions were identified at initial leukemia diagnosis, relapse, and during various treatment stages.
• The clinical presentation of LC is highly variable, with diverse lesion morphologies, locations, colors, and symptoms; most patients died within one year of LC diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Leukemia cutis exhibits a wide range of clinical presentations and can occur at any stage of leukemia.
• The diagnosis of LC is associated with a poor prognosis, with a high mortality rate within one year.
• Early detection of LC may aid in leukemia diagnosis and potentially improve outcomes through prompt chemotherapy initiation.