title: Mastocytosis with skin manifestations: current status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our present knowledge about mastocyte origin, mastocytosis classification and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mastocytoses are chronic and recurrent disorders with symptoms which might either be limited only to the skin or to internal organs as well. The mastocytes, coming from bone marrow progenitor cells, migrate to tissues where they participate in inflammation and in cellular immunity as well as in the metabolism of connective and osseous tissues. Their proliferation causes the appearance of mastocytoses. The classification of the clinical manifestations of the mastocytoses into cutaneous, reactive (under the influence of the degranulator factors) and systemic disease, facilitates dialog among clinicians. Determination of prognosis and appropriate therapeutic regimens depend on individual features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mastocytosis diagnosis is verified by histological study of skin lesion biopsy material. Management is symptomatic and unfortunately does not eradicate the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, A. Sygros Hospital, National University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Katsamba
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karpouzis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koumantaki-Mathioudaki
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jorizzo
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence