Cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis with subsequent development of haematological malignancies. Report of two cases.
Adult cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease. We report two cases illustrating the variability of the clinical presentation and the response to treatment. In both cases a remission was achieved: in one case a partial remission with psoralen plus UVA irradiation (PUVA) and methotrexate plus topical corticosteroid ointment; in the other case by treatment with thalidomide. Despite a therapeutic response, both patients later developed haematological malignancies: a chronic myelo-monocytic leukaemia and an acute lymphatic leukaemia. In conclusion, patients with adult cutaneous LCH should be monitored carefully so that a secondary malignancy is not overlooked.
Wollina
U
U
Department of dermatology Dresden, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067 Dresden, Germany. wollinauw@khdf.de
Kaatz
M
M
Krönert
C
C
Schönlebe
J
J
Schmalenberg
H
H
Schreiber
G
G
Köstler
E
E
Haroske
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male