title: Primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma in a heart transplant patient: case report and literature review.
abstract: Solid organ transplant recipients are at risk of developing a wide range of viral-associated malignancies, including skin tumours and lymphoproliferative disorders. The risk of a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is 28-49 times the risk of a lymphoproliferative disorder in the normal population. Most cases are of B-cell phenotype and are associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders presenting clinically in the skin are rare and usually of B-cell phenotype. Only rare cases of cutaneous T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder have been reported previously, mostly mycosis fungoides type. We describe here a rare primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma CD30+ arising in a heart transplant patient who had a nodule on the right leg, several years after heart transplantation. The morphology and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma with a T-cell phenotype. Excisional biopsy and radiotherapy of the affected area were performed. In this patient, the presence of a solitary lesion and the lack of systemic involvement represented the main factors taken into account in choosing the therapy and the patient was therefore treated using a non-aggressive approach, although with systemic immunosuppression. In conclusion, the diagnosis of a CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma in transplant recipients does not imply aggressive clinical behaviour by the lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Cesare Battisti, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloni-Fortina
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Montesco
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piaserico
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bordignon
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tona
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feltrin
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alaibac
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017730:Ki-1 Antigen