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Published on: October 14, 2021
Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with a dermatomal distribution
A V Marzano1, E Berti, E Alessi
1Institute of Dermatological Sciences, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) presenting in a dermatome pattern with early lymph node spread. The presence of bcl-2 gene rearrangement suggests a potential role in its aggressive behavior.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCLs) are typically indolent skin cancers.
- A variant occurring on the legs exhibits a more aggressive clinical course.
Observation:
- A unique case of CBCL presented with a dermatome-like distribution.
- Early peripheral lymph node involvement was observed in this patient.
- Polymerase chain reaction detected bcl-2 gene rearrangement in skin samples.
Findings:
- The bcl-2 gene rearrangement, typically absent in classic CBCLs, was identified.
- This genetic alteration may correlate with the aggressive clinical behavior observed.
- The unusual dermatomal presentation remains unexplained, with viral etiology being speculative.
Implications:
- This case expands the known clinical presentations of CBCL.
- The bcl-2 rearrangement may serve as a biomarker for aggressive disease in CBCL.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of dermatomal CBCL and the role of bcl-2.
Abstract:
Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCLs) are indolent lymphoproliferative skin disorders with the only exception of the variant arising on the legs, which is characterized by a more aggressive clinical course. We report a case of CBCL unusual in that it presented with a dermatome-like distribution and showed early peripheral lymph node involvement. The other noteworthy finding is that rearrangement of the bcl-2 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction in skin tissue samples. The bcl-2 rearrangement, which is usually absent in the classic CBCLs, is likely to play a role in the aggressive clinical behavior of the tumor, although further studies are necessary to confirm it. The hypothesis of a virus causing the dermatomal presentation is intriguing but there is no proof for such speculation at this point.
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