Monocytic skin infiltration in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia

Although leukaemic infiltration of the skin commonly occurs in acute monoblastic leukaemia, the association with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) has only been described recently. We confirm the association and report histologically proven monocytic infiltration of the skin in four patients with CMML. This did not herald a more aggressive phase of the disease as previously suggested. Treatment of the rash with low dose cytarabine or etoposide was effective but razoxane produced no benefit. Superficial radiotherapy was useful to control pruritus in one patient.