Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma simulating basal-cell carcinoma on the nasal ala^*

Abstract

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCLs) constitute 25% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. They present in the skin with no evidence of systemic or extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis, after adequate staging. Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas differ significantly from their nodal counterparts in relation to both clinical behavior and prognosis. The distinction between primary and secondary B-cell lymphomas is essential for defining prognosis/course of action. Such distinction is also very difficult to make, since primary and secondary B-cell lymphomas are clinically and histologically indistinguishable. We report the case of a patient with primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma who underwent surgical excision.

Keywords:
Carcinoma, basal cell; Lymphoma, B-cell; Lymphoma, B-cell, marginal zone; Lymphoma, follicular; Lymphoma, non-Hodgkin; Precursor cell lymphoblastic leukemia-lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

The lymphomas are a group of neoplasms arising from the lymphoreticular system. They are divided into two main groups: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). The latter may be nodal (when primarily involving the lymph nodes) or extranodal.¹About 30% of NHL involve extranodal tissues. The skin is the second most affected organ (after the gastrointestinal tract), comprising approximately 18% of these lymphomas.²

Based on their cellular origin and according to the expressed monoclonal antibodies, lymphomas can be divided into T- or B-cell lymphomas.^1,3The expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD43 or CD45 confirms their T-cell character. The expression of CD20, in particular, but also of CD79, CD5 and CD10 confirms their B-cell character.³Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL) are less frequent than cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, representing about 25% of all cutaneous lymphomas. It shows a slight pREFERENCES for males and an increased incidence with age.¹

CBCL can be primary or secondary. Primary CBCL have a more indolent natural history than secondary CBCL and a good prognosis. They are characterized by having only cutaneous presentation, with no evidence of extracutaneous lesion after adequate staging. They have an identical morphological appearance but different clinical behaviors.¹

In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) proposed a classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas. CBCL were divided into marginal zone, follicle center, diffuse large B-cell, leg type and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (Chart 1).^1,4

CHART 1
Classification of cutaneous lymphomas (WHO/EORTC, 2005)

Neoplasms of mature T and NK cells	Mycosis fungoides
	Variants of mycosis fungoides
	Subtype of mycosis fungoides
	Sezary syndrome
	CD30-Positive T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders
	Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma
	Peripheral t-cell lymphoma, non specific
	Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type
	Adult T-cell leukemia /lymphoma
	Extracutaneous lymphomas, usually with skin involvement
B-cells neoplasms	Cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MALT type)
	Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma
	Follicular
	Follicular and diffuse
	Diffuse
	Cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma
	Leg type
	Others
	Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma
Immature hematopoietic malignancies	Blastic NK cell lymphoma / CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasia
	Lymphoblastic precursor lymphoma/leukemia
	T-cells
	B-cells

• Source: Burg G, 2005.4

We report the case of a patient with primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCCL), the most common type of CBCL, which occurs primarily in the skin and whose clinical manifestations can mimic many other diseases. In our case, the main differential clinical diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma.

CASE REPORT

A 65-year-old white male patient had had an asymptomatic, smooth-surfaced, erythematous nodular lesion of 1.2 cm in diameter, with telangiectasia and progressive growth on the left nasal ala for eight months (Figure 1). The initial diagnostic hypothesis was basal cell carcinoma. Histopathological examination revealed a preserved dermis and epidermis with formation of lymphoid follicles. Lymphocytic cells were identified both in the periphery and center of the follicle (Figure 2). Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD20, CD10 and Bcl-6 in cells of the germinal center and negative for Bcl-2, thus confirming the diagnosis primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (Figure 3). Laboratory tests showed normal blood count and normal Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, negative VDRL test, and negative anti-HIV and anti-HTLV 1 antibodies. CT scans of the chest/abdomen and pelvis showed no signs of malignancy and the bone marrow biopsy/aspirate showed no abnormalities. The patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion (Figure 4).

FIGURE 1
Clinical view of the PCFCCL: smooth-surfaced, erythematous nodular lesion of 1.2 cm in diameter, with telangiectasia on the left nasal ala

FIGURE 2
Histopathology of the PCFCCL: preserved dermis and epidermis with formation of lymphoid follicles. Lymphocytic cells were identified both in the periphery and center of the follicle. Hematoxylin-eosin, 40X

FIGURE 3
Immunohistochemistry of the PCFCCL: (A) the cytoplasm of B-cells was strongly positive for CD20. (B) germinal center cells were positive for CD10. (C) germinal center cells were positive for Bcl-6. (D) germinal center cells were negative for Bcl-2. Immunohistochemistry, 40X

FIGURE 4
Seventh post-operative day after surgical excision with primary closure of the lesion on the left nasal ala. Linear incision showing good healing and the presence of suture stitches

DISCUSSION

PCFCCL represent 55% of of all CBCL. They have a predilection for males and mainly affect adults with an average age of 60 years. Clinically, it manifests itself as solitary or grouped, erythematous to violaceous papules, plaques, nodules or tumors. They rarely ulcerate or exhibit necrosis. The lesions occur mainly on the head, neck and trunk. The differential diagnosis includes inflammatory lesions such as acne, epidermal inclusion cyst, and lymphoid hyperplasia, and cutaneous malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma.^1,3In the case presented here, the first diagnostic hypothesis was basal cell carcinoma. Diagnostic differentiation was carried out by means of histology, immunohistochemistry and staging tests.

The five year survival rate is over 95%. Spread to lymph nodes or internal organs is rare (5%). The recurrence rate is high (about 50%), but there is not a worse prognostic factor and it is usually confined to skin.^1,2Histologically, it presents dermal and subcutaneous proliferation of centrocytes and centroblasts in a follicular and/or diffuse growth pattern. The tumor cells express B-cell markers such as CD20, CD79a, CD10, Bcl-6 and negativity for Bcl-2.¹For single lesions, as in the case reported here, the first choice of treatment is radiotherapy or surgical excision.²

Differentiating between primary and secondary skin involvement, through undiagnosed nodal or visceral malignancies, is crucial in addressing CBCL, because of the difference in prognosis and therapeutic options, given that primary and secondary B-cell lymphomas are clinically and histologically indistinguishable.^1,2,3,4In the past, it was believed that CBCL were invariably secondary. In recent years, however, it has been recognized that CBCL whose primary site is the skin represent a distinct and very important group of extranodal lymphomas.^1,3,4

• Financial Support: None.
• How to cite this article Wanczinski MI, Pinto CAL, Trevisan F, Cunha PR, Grohs LMH. Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma simulating basal-cell carcinoma on the nasal ala . An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90 (3 Suppl 1):S111-4.
• *
  Study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí (FMJ) - Jundiaí (SP), Brazil.

References

• ¹
  Suárez AL, Pulitzer M, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Querfeld C, Myskowski PL. Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas. Part I. Clinical features, diagnosis and classification. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:329. e1-13.
• ²
  Suárez AL, Querfeld C, Horwitz S, Pulitzer M, Moskowitz A, Myskowski PL. Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas. Part II. Therapy and future directions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:343. e1-11.
• ³
  Sampaio SAP, Rivitti EA. Leucemias, Linfomas e Pseudolinfomas. In: Sampaio SAP, Rivitti EA. Dermatologia. 2. ed. São Paulo: Artes Médicas; 2000. p.887-913.
• ⁴
  Burg G, Kempf W, Kazakov DV, Michaelis S, Dummer R. WHO/EORTC Classification of Cutaneous Lymphomas. In: Burg G, Kempt W. Cutaneous lymphomas. Florida: Taylor & Francis Group; 2005, 91-92.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  June 2015

History

• Received
  14 June 2014
• Accepted
  23 July 2014