title: Unusual specific cutaneous lesions in myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early diagnosis of leukemia cutis in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is important because these lesions can precede acute peripheral blood or bone marrow transformation. Leukemia cutis is usually easy to recognize, but atypical lesions are not well described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to describe unusual specific lesions in MDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from patients with myeloid malignancies and leukemia cutis were reviewed. Only patients with MDS and cutaneous lesions different from typical tumors were included. Clinical features were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients with MDS and unusual specific cutaneous lesions were found. They had ecchymoses, necrotic plaques or ulcers, and prurigo-like lesions. In three of four patients appearance of these skin lesions heralded or was concomitant with acute transformation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific cutaneous lesions can display unusual patterns. Early biopsy of cutaneous lesions in MDS is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aractingi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachmeyer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miclea
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vérola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rousselot
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubertret
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000753:Anemia, Refractory / Q000473:pathology*; D000754:Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts / Q000473:pathology*; D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015477:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic / Q000473:pathology*; D017254:Leukemic Infiltration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*