Case for diagnosis. Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder^*

Abstract:

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is a rare disease, with an indolent evolution and benign course. The classic presentation is a solitary nodule on the face or trunk. The disorder’s rarity and clinical and histopathological characteristics, can make the diagnosis difficult. We present the case of a 36-year-old Caucasian woman with a purplish erythematous nodule, hardened, shiny, asymptomatic, on the left nasal ala, which had grown progressively for 45 days. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry panel demonstrated alterations consistent with primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. There was complete remission of the condition within 60 days of treatment with potent occlusive corticosteroids.

Keywords:
Lymphoma; Lymphoproliferative disorders; Pseudolymphoma

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 36-year-old female, Caucasian, schoolteacher, who reported a single purplish erythematous nodule with a firm consistency and shiny surface, with telangiectasias, clear contour, non-pruritic, located on the left nasal ala, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, which had grown progressively for 45 days (Figure 1). No lymphadenopathy, visceromegaly, or other associated signs were identified. Histopathological examination showed atypical and diffuse lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis, reaching the subcutaneous layer and involving the perivascular tissue. Lymphocyteswere small to intermediate in size (Figure 2). Immunohistochemistry revealed a predominance of CD3+ T lymphocytes, with CD4+ immunopositivity (Figure 3). The cell proliferation index (Ki-67) was estimated at 10-15%, and there were rare CD30+ cells. Populations of plasma cells, histiocytes, and CD8+ T lymphocytes were observed in the background. Further tests such as CT scan, biochemical tests, blood count, lactate dehydrogenase, and β2-microglobulin levels were normal.

Figure 1
Purplish erythematous nodule with firm shiny surface on the left nasal ala. A - lateral view. B - Lower view

Figure 2
A - Histological skin section of dense lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis (Hematoxylin & eosin, x50). B - Histological skin section demonstrating the nuclear pattern of the lymphocytes in the lesion: small to medium-sized nuclei, predominantly regular karyotheca, hyperchromasia and perivascular and periadnexal arrangement, with no foci of epidermotropism (Hematoxylin & eosin, x400)

Figure 3
A - Area with perivascular dermal lymphocytic infiltrate (Immunohistochemistry, CD4, x400). Prevalence of CD4 T lymphocytes. B - Area with perivascular dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. CD4 T lymphocytes predominate over CD8 T lymphocytes (Immunohistochemistry, CD8, x400)

DISCUSSION

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, previously called CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic T cell lymphoma, is a rare disease with indolent and insidious evolution, classically presenting as a solitary nodule on the face, neck, or trunk.¹Cases have been described in patients with some degree of immune compromise such as transplanted patients and those in use of immunobiologicals.^2,3

Despite the benign and favorable course of this disease, both the diagnosis and therapeutic approach remain challenging for dermatologists and pathologists.⁴In 2017, the World Health Organization reviewed the classification of lymphomas and reclassified this primary cutaneous lymphoma (2005) as a lymphoproliferative disease (2017) (Chart 1).^5,6

Chart 1
Classification of primary cutaneous T and NK cell lymphoproliferative disorders

Mycosis fungoides

Sézary syndrome

Primary cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

Lymphomatoid papulosis

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Peripheral primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and lymphopro­liferative disorders, rare cases

Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous CD+ aggressive epidermotropic cyto­toxic T-cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous acral CD8+ T-cell lymphoma*

Primary cutaneous CD+ small/medium sized T-cell lym­phoproliferative disorder*

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

• ^*
  Changes from 2008 classification
et al⁵

The distinction between cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder and its differential diagnoses is extremely important, modifying the prognosis and treatment approach, particularly in relation to primary cutaneous CD8+ epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, which has an aggressive clinical course and presents with morphological necrosis and ulceration. Other differential diagnoses include: mycosis fungoides and subtypes, which can be distinguished from each other based on clinical history and rapid evolution; primary cutaneous acral CD8+ T-cell lymphoma, which may overlap in its topography and clinical presentation but with a different immunophenotype and better prognosis; and primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma, with highly aggressive clinical and morphological features.^1,4,7

Markers of poor evolution and worse prognosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders include: disseminated lesions, rapid growth, and presence of more than 30% of large pleomorphic CD30+ T lymphocytes and/or high rates of cell proliferation, similar to that observed in high-grade lymphomas.^1,7

The medical literature includes case reports showing efficient treatments, such as oral doxycycline, corticosteroids (topical, intralesional, and/or oral), surgical excision, and radiotherapy. However, there is no consensus on the best therapeutic approach for these cases.^1,5,7-10

The proposed treatment for this patient was occlusive fluocinolone (in patches), leading to the complete remission of the lesion within 60 days and no relapse in 90 days of follow-up. Potent corticosteroids have a lympholytic effect, promoting rapid involution of the infiltrate in localized forms, with low cost and high tolerability.

• *
  Work conducted at the Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (SP), Brazil.
• Financial support: None

REFERENCES

• ¹
  James E, Sokhn JG, Gibson JF, Carlson K, Subtil A, Girardi M, et al. CD4 + primary cutaneous small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective case series and review of literature. Leuk Lymphoma. 2015;56:951-7.
• ²
  Shakerian B, Razavi N, Mandegar MH. Primary Cutaneous CD4-Positive Small/ Medium-Sized Pleomorphic T-Cell Lymphoma Following Heart Transplantation. Int J Organ Transplant Med. 2017;8:168-9.
• ³
  Ma H, Qiu S, Lu R, Feng P, Lu C. Methotrexate and etanercept-induced primary cutaneous CD4 positive small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91:368-71.
• ⁴
  Alberti-Violetti S, Torres-Cabala CA, Talpur R, Corti L, Fanoni D, Venegoni L, et al. Clinicopathological and molecular study of primary cutaneous CD4+ small/ medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. J Cutan Pathol. 2016;43:1121-30.
• ⁵
  Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Pileri SA, Stein H, et al. WHO Classification of tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. 4th Ed. Vol 2. IARC: Lyon; 2017.
• ⁶
  Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Pileri SA, Harris NL, Stein H, Siebert R, et al. The 2016 revision of the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Blood. 2016;127:2375-90.
• ⁷
  Baum CL, Link BK, Neppalli VT, Swick BL, Liu V. Reappraisal of the provisional entity primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: a series of 10 adult and pediatric patients and review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65:739-48.
• ⁸
  Toberer F, Hartschuh W, Hadaschik E. Primary cutaneous CD4+ small- to medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: temporary remission by oral doxycycline. JAMA Dermatol. 2013;149:956-9.
• ⁹
  Keeling BH, Gavino ACP, Admirand J, Soldano AC. Primary cutaneous CD4- positive small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder: Report of a case and review of the literature. J Cutan Pathol. 2017;44:944-7
• ¹⁰
  Maurelli M, Colato C, Gisondi P, Girolomoni G. Primary Cutaneous CD4(+) Small/ Medium Pleomorphic T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder: A Case Series. J Cutan Med Surg. 2017;21:502-6

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jan-Feb 2019

History

• Received
  05 June 2018
• Accepted
  19 Aug 2018