Teenager with persistent facial edema and induration

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common oncological disease in the pediatric population; however, skin infiltration occurs only in 1-3% of the patients and almost always manifests after the diagnosis is made.

A male teenage patient who presented with facial edema and infiltration, associated with systemic symptoms such as asthenia and adynamia. On physical examination, the patient presented facial edema and indurated plaques, as well as cervical, inguinal, and axillary adenopathy. Complete blood count showed pancytopenia and a chest X-ray revealed a mediastinal mass. Due to a high suspicion of malignancy a bone marrow and skin biopsy was taken, both with pre-B ALL. Chemotherapy was started and the patient is now in maintenance phase.

Leukemia cutis manifestations are heterogenous, from a small papule to a big nodule. It is more common in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and it is rare in patients with pre-B ALL, specially in the pediatric population. The diagnosis should be done with a biopsy and the treatment is with systemic chemotherapy. The diagnosis should always be considered in patients with unexplained edematous or indurated lesions, especially in the context of systemic symptoms.