Aleukemic leukemia cutis presenting as benign-appearing exanthema.
Aleukemic leukemia cutis is a rare condition characterized by the infiltration of the skin by leukemic cells before their appearance in the peripheral blood or bone marrow. We report here a 62-year-old seemingly healthy patient who presented with disseminated erythematous maculae. A skin biopsy showed leukemia cutis of monocytic type. No involvement of bone marrow or peripheral blood was found. The patient developed acute monocytic leukemia 7 months later. We present this case to illustrate how leukemia cutis can masquerade as a clinically benign-appearing cutaneous eruption without leukemic changes in blood or bone marrow. To confirm the diagnosis of aleukemic leukemia cutis, immunohistochemistry of the skin lesions as well as a complete staging procedure is necessary.
Benez
A
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Tubingen, Germany.
Metzger
S
S
Metzler
G
G
Fierlbeck
G
G
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D015479:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*