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Lymphomatoid papulosis in children
G M Zirbel1, S E Gellis, M E Kadin
1Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Insights
Childhood lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) often resolves spontaneously but carries a risk of developing lymphoma later in life. Lifelong follow-up is crucial for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is well-documented in adults, but its characteristics in children remain unclear.
- Key aspects like prognosis, lymphoma risk, and follow-up protocols for pediatric LyP are not established.
Observation:
- This study analyzed six pediatric LyP cases and reviewed 17 reported childhood cases.
- Clinical and histological features of pediatric LyP were compared to adult-onset LyP.
Findings:
- Pediatric LyP shares similarities with adult LyP but presents unique patterns: dwindling outbreaks, localized-to-generalized progression, and extensive lesion counts.
- Treatment responses to steroids and antibiotics were variable in children, mirroring adult outcomes.
- While most children remained healthy with up to 9 years of follow-up, two previously reported cases developed lymphoma in adulthood.
Implications:
- Childhood LyP may have a higher spontaneous resolution rate than adult LyP.
- Despite potential resolution, pediatric LyP patients remain at risk for lymphoma, necessitating long-term monitoring.
- Establishing clear follow-up guidelines for childhood LyP is essential for early detection of secondary malignancies.
Background:
Although lymphomatoid papulosis is well described in adults, the clinical course, prognosis, risk for lymphoma, and recommendations for follow-up have not been established in children.
Objective:
Our aim was to analyze our data on six children with lymphomatoid papulosis and to analyze available information on reported cases from the literature to characterize better lymphomatoid papulosis in childhood and to compare it with adult-onset lymphomatoid papulosis.
Methods:
Clinical records, laboratory studies, and histopathologic evaluation of skin biopsy specimens from six children with lymphomatoid papulosis were reviewed. A literature search was also performed and disclosed detailed information on 17 childhood cases.
Results:
In most cases childhood lymphomatoid papulosis is clinically and histologically similar to lymphomatoid papulosis in adults, but three unusual patterns were identified in our children: first, after initial outbreak, dwindling outbreaks (both in frequency and number of lesions) until the eruption ceased completely; second, lymphomatoid papulosis localized to one area for years before generalizing, and third, presentation of lymphomatoid papulosis with hundreds of lesions. In our children and in those previously reported, response to systemic antibiotics and potent topical steroids was variable, as in adults. All our children to date have remained healthy; the longest period of follow-up is 9 years. However, in previously reported cases two patients with childhood-onset lymphomatoid papulosis had lymphoma as adults.
Conclusion:
Childhood lymphomatoid papulosis may be more likely to resolve spontaneously than adult lymphomatoid papulosis; nevertheless these children may still be at risk for lymphoma and thus need lifelong follow-up.