Cutaneous lesions in hairy-cell leukemia. Case report and review of the literature.
A patient is described in whom cutaneous lesions were the initial manifestation of hairy-cell leukemia. Touch preparations made immediately on removal of a 3-mm punch biopsy specimen of the cutaneous lesions revealed acid-phosphatase positive, tartrate-resistant staining in the leukemic cells, and helped to establish the diagnosis. Specific eruptions occur in approximately 7% of patients with hairy-cell leukemia, appearing grossly as disseminated, erythematous maculopapules, with a perivascular mononuclear leukemic cell infiltrate seen microscopically. A review of the English literature indicates that cutaneous manifestations are not generally recognized as a diagnostic source in individuals with hairy-cell leukemia, and biopsy is seldom undertaken.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013644:Tartrates
D013644:Tartrates; D000135:Acid Phosphatase