[Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of 8 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and prognosis of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (C-ALCL).


METHODS
Eight cases of C-ALCL were enrolled into the study. The clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings and results of in-situ hybridization for EBER 1/2 were analyzed.


RESULTS
Three of the 8 patients were males and 5 were females. The median age was 49.5 years. C-ALCL often presented with solitary skin nodule, without systemic symptoms. Histologically, the lymphoma cells infiltrated the dermis and subcutis in a sheet-like pattern. They were of large size and showed conspicuous nuclear atypia. Immunohistochemical study showed that more than 75% of the lymphoma cells were positive for CD30. All cases expressed one to three T cell markers (CD3, CD5 or CD45RO) and cytotoxic granule-associated antigens (TIA-1, granzyme B or perforin). The staining for leukocyte common antigen was positive in all cases, while the expression of CD5, CD8, ALK-1 and epithelial membrane antigen was noted in 5, 1, 1 and 3 cases, respectively. The staining for CD15, CD20, CK and HMB45 was negative. In-situ hybridization for EBER 1/2 was also negative in all the cases studied. Follow-up information was available in 6 patients. Five of them were still alive and 1 died of unclear cause.


CONCLUSIONS
C-ALCL has distinctive clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic features. It is not Epstein-Barr virus-related and often carries a favorable prognosis.
Wang
Ting-ting
TT
Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
Lin
L
Tang
Zhi-rong
ZR
Cheng
Ji-rong
JR
Li
Wei
W
Li
Feng-yuan
FY
Wang
Wei-ya
WY
Li
Gan-di
GD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D054446:Lymphoma, Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D018956:CD5 Antigens; C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens