title: Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with a dermatomal distribution.
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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatological Sciences, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Marzano
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alessi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*