Clinical and pathological analysis of 7 cases of primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Objective To investigate clinical and pathological features of primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL). Methods Clinical and pathological data were collected from 7 patients with PC-ALCL and analyzed retrospectively. Results Of the 7 patients, 6 were male and 1 was female, with an average age of 52 years. PC-ALCL was characterized by solitary (n = 3) or multiple (n = 4) erythematous nodules, lumps and/or plaques with (n = 6) or without (n = 1) ulceration. Systemic involvement was observed in none of the 7 patients. Histopathological examination showed diffuse distribution of tumor cells in the dermis, which were large with rich cytoplasm and atypical nuclei. Mitotic figures were seen. An immunohistochemical study of tumor cells showed positive staining for CD30 and cytotoxic protein, but negative staining for CD20, CD56, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Epstein - Barr virus - encoded RNA in situ hybridization was negative. Conclusions PC - ALCL is a rare primary cutaneous low - grade malignant T - cell lymphoma, which can be confirmed by clinical manifestations as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. It usually has good prognosis with rare systemic involvement and metastasis. Key words: Lymphoma, primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell; Skin manifestations; Pathologic processes