Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas: 2021 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management

Approximately one-fourth of primary cutaneous lymphomas are B-cell derived and are generally classified into three distinct subgroups: primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL), primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL), and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL, LT).

Diagnosis and disease classification is based on histopathologic review and immunohistochemical staining of an appropriate skin biopsy. Pathologic review and an appropriate staging evaluation are necessary to distinguish primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas from systemic B-cell lymphomas with secondary skin involvement.

Disease histopathology remains the most important prognostic determinant in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas. Both PCFCL and PCMZL are indolent lymphomas that infrequently disseminate to extracutaneous sites and are associated with 5-year survival rates that exceed 95%. In contrast, PCDLBCL, LT is an aggressive lymphoma with an inferior prognosis.

Both PCFCL and PCMZL patients with solitary or relatively few skin lesions may be effectively managed with local radiation therapy. While single-agent rituximab may be employed for patients with more widespread skin involvement, multi-agent chemotherapy is rarely appropriate. In contrast, management of patients with PCDLBCL, LT is comparable to the management of patients with systemic DLBCL.