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Lymphoma in dermatitis herpetiformis: report on four cases
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) on a gluten-free diet developed lymphomas. This suggests DH patients, like celiac disease patients, have an increased risk of developing these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic autoimmune blistering skin condition.
- Gluten-free diet (GFD) is the primary treatment for DH.
- Celiac disease shares a similar autoimmune basis and is known to increase lymphoma risk.
Observation:
- Four patients with protracted DH, treated with GFD for 6 months to 4 years, developed lymphomas.
- Lymphoma types included histiocytic and lymphocytic B-cell lymphomas.
- Affected sites varied, including lymph nodes, liver, spleen, blood marrow, and gastrointestinal tract.
Findings:
- The study observed four cases of lymphoma development in DH patients undergoing GFD.
- Two patients with histiocytic lymphoma died, one had a history of prior lymphoma.
- One patient had localized colon lymphoma successfully treated, and another had inguinal lymphoma treated with radiotherapy.
Implications:
- DH patients on a GFD may have an elevated risk of developing lymphomas.
- This finding parallels the increased lymphoma risk observed in celiac disease patients.
- Further research is warranted to investigate the link between DH, GFD, and lymphomagenesis.