Table of contents :

cutaneous T-cell and NK-cell lymphomas (CTCL) mycosis fungoides (MF) MF variants and subtypes folliculotropic MF pagetoid reticulosis granulomatous slack skin (GSS) Sézary syndrome (SS) adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) lymphomatoid papulosis subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T-cell lymphoma (provisional) primary cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma (provisional) primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (provisional)

early plasmacytoid dendritic cell leukemia/lymphoma / CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (blastic NK-cell lymphoma) cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL) primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, other intravascular large B/cell lymphoma

A variety of T- and B-cell neoplasms can involve the skin, either primarily or secondarily. The term "primary cutaneous lymphoma" refers to cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCLs) that present in the skin with no evidence of extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis. After the gastrointestinal tract, the skin is the second most common site of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with an estimated annual incidence of 1:100,000^ref. Primary cutaneous lymphomas often have a completely different clinical behavior and prognosis from histologically similar systemic lymphomas, which may involve the skin secondarily, and therefore require different types of treatment. For that reason, recent classification systems for non-Hodgkin lymphomas such as the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues included primary cutaneous lymphomas as separate entities^ref (Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW (Eds). World Health Organization Classification of Tumors: Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Lyon, France: IARC Press;2001). In the EORTC classification, distinction was made between primary cutaneous lymphomas with an indolent, intermediate, or aggressive clinical behavior. The clinical validity of this classification has been validated by several large studies, including follow-up data of > 1300 patients with a primary cutaneous lymphoma^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Although there was consensus between the EORTC and WHO classifications on the classification of most types of CTCLs, remaining differences between the 2 classification systems, in particular the controversy on the definition and terminology of the different types of CBCLs, has resulted in considerable debate and confusion^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. During consensus meetings in Lyon, France (September 2003) and Zurich, Switzerland (January 2004), these differences were resolved by representatives of both classification systems, and a consensus classification was developed. This focuses on primary cutaneous lymphomas and a few other conditions that frequently first present in the skin, such as CD4⁺/CD56⁺ hematodermic neoplasm (formerly also known as blastic natural killer cell lymphoma) and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Other neoplasms that may also first present in the skin in a minority of cases, such as precursor B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia, and secondary cutaneous manifestations of systemic lymphomas, are not discussed, but will be included in the monograph to be published in the WHO Blue Book series in 2005. Relative frequency and disease-specific 5-year survival of 1905 primary cutaneous lymphomas classified according to the WHO-EORTC classification :

WHO-EORTC classification	no.	frequency, % (data are based on 1905 patients with a primary cutaneous lymphoma registered at the Dutch and Austrian Cutaneous Lymphoma Group between 1986 and 2002)	disease-specific 5-year survival, %
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Indolent clinical behavior
mycosis fungoides (MF)	800	44%	88
folliculotropic MF	86	4%	80
pagetoid reticulosis	14	< 1%	100
granulomatous slack skin (GSS)	4	< 1%	100
primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL)	146	8%	95
lymphomatoid papulosis	236	12%	100
subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL)	18	1%	82
primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (provisional)*	39	2%	75
Aggressive clinical behavior
Sézary syndrome (SS)	52	3%	24
primary cutaneous extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type	7	< 1%	NR
primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T-cell lymphoma (provisional)*	14	< 1%	18
primary cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma (provisional)*	13	< 1%	NR
primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (excluding the 3 provisional entities indicated with a *)	47	2%	16
Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
Indolent clinical behavior
primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma	127	7%	99
primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma	207	11%	95
Intermediate clinical behavior
primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type	85	4%	55
primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, other	4	< 1%	50
primary cutaneous intravascular large B/cell lymphoma	6	< 1%	65

• classification of CTCLs other than mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, and primary cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferations : the classification of this remaining group of CTCLs is difficult and confusing, which is not surprising given the heterogeneity and rarity of these tumors. Together, they constitute less than 10% of all CTCLs^{ref1, ref2, ref3} (Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW (Eds). World Health Organization Classification of Tumors: Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Lyon, France: IARC Press;2001) With few exceptions, these lymphomas are clinically aggressive and in most cases systemic chemotherapy is required. In the EORTC classification, most of these lymphomas were grouped as primary cutaneous CD30^- large T-cell lymphoma or in the provisional group of primary cutaneous small/medium-sized pleomorphic CTCLs. Distinction between these 2 categories, which is based on the presence of > or < 30% large neoplastic T cells, was considered useful because several studies demonstrated a significant difference in survival between these 2 groups^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. Recent studies suggest, however, that this favorable prognosis is restricted to small/medium-sized pleomorphic CTCLs with a CD4⁺ T-cell phenotype, in particular those that present with localized disease, in contrast to those with a CD8⁺ T-cell phenotype^ref. Moreover, the EORTC category of CD30^- large-cell CTCLs has become quite heterogeneous through the recognition of new diagnostic categories, such as subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTL)^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6}, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type^{ref1, ref2, ref3}, CD4⁺/CD56⁺ hematodermic neoplasm (blastic NK-cell lymphoma)^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}, aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ CTCL^{ref1, ref2, ref3}, and cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. In the WHO classification, SPTL, nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma, and blastic NK-cell lymphoma were included as separate entities, whereas the other entities were part of the broad category of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL), unspecified. In the WHO-EORTC classification, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and CD4⁺/CD56⁺ hematodermic neoplasm (blastic NK-cell lymphoma), are defined as separate entities. Recent studies showed both clinical, histologic, and immunophenotypical differences between cases of SPTL with an a/b T-cell phenotype and those with a g/d T-cell phenotype, suggesting that these may represent different entities. Whereas SPTLs with an / T-cell phenotype are homogeneous with a rather indolent clinical behavior in many patients, SPTLs with a g/d T-cell phenotype overlap with other types of g/d⁺ T/NK-cell lymphoma and invariably run a very aggressive clinical course^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. We therefore suggest that the term "SPTL" be restricted for SPTLs with an a/b T-cell phenotype^ref. Recent studies have suggested that some disorders can be separated out as provisional entities from the broad group of "PTL, unspecified," in the WHO classification. These include aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ CTCL, cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma (including cases formerly diagnosed as SPTL with a g/d phenotype), and primary cutaneous small-medium CD4⁺ T-cell lymphoma. In the WHO-EORTC classification the term "PTL, unspecified," is maintained for remaining cases that do not fit into either of these provisional entities.
• Primary cutaneous follicle-center cell lymphoma and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma : in recent years, the EORTC categories of primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma (PCFCCL) and primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the leg (PCLBCL-leg) have been the subject of much debate. The term PCFCCL was introduced in 1987 as a term encompassing cutaneous lymphomas that were composed of cells with the morphology of follicle center cells (ie, centroblasts and [large] centrocytes), and that were classified as either centroblastic/centrocytic or centroblastic lymphoma according to criteria of the Kiel classification^ref. Whereas small and early lesions may show both small and large neoplastic B cells and many admixed T cells, and may have a partly follicular growth pattern, tumorous lesions generally show a predominance of large B cells, particularly large cleaved or multilobated cells, and less frequently a predominance of typical centroblasts and immunoblasts^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. In contrast to nodal follicular lymphomas, PCFCCLs do generally not express bcl-2 and are not typically associated with the t(14;18) translocation^{ref1, ref2}. Clinically, most patients present with localized skin lesions on the head or trunk and, regardless of the histologic subclassification on the basis of growth pattern or number of blast cells, are highly responsive to radiotherapy and have an excellent prognosis^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7}. The WHO classification approached these lesions from a different perspective. PCFCCLs with a partly follicular growth pattern were included as a variant of follicular lymphoma and designated cutaneous follicle center lymphoma, while cases with a diffuse growth pattern and a predominance of large centrocytes or centroblasts were generally classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The designation of this latter group as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was controversial, since it could lead to overtreatment with multiagent chemotherapy rather than radiotherapy. PCLBCL-leg was initially recognized as a subgroup of PCFCCL with a somewhat different histology and a more unfavorable prognosis^ref. In the EORTC classification it was included as a separate subgroup. PCLBCL-leg particularly affects elderly people and has a higher relapse rate and a more unfavorable prognosis than PCFCCL with a diffuse large B-cell morphology^ref. Histologically, they have a predominance of centroblasts and immunoblasts rather than large centrocytes, and consistently strongly express bcl-2 protein^ref. Although delineation of this subgroup based on site has been criticized^{ref1, ref2}, recent clinicopathologic and genetic studies further support that PCFCCL and PCLBCL-leg are distinct groups of CBCL^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. During the consensus meeting in Zurich, histologic slides of a large number of PCFCCLs and PCLBCL-leg's were reviewed, together with the immunophenotype and clinical data. It was recognized that PCFCCLs as defined in the EORTC classification indeed form a spectrum of disease that includes cases with a follicular, a follicular and diffuse, and a diffuse growth pattern, and a range of cellular composition from predominantly small centrocytes to a predominance of large centrocytes with variable numbers of admixed centroblasts and immunoblasts. This entity will further be referred to as "primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma" (PCFCL). The group of PCLBCL-leg was also recognized as a separate entity. According to the results of a recent multicenter study, it is also clear that cases with a similar morphology (predominance or cohesive sheets of centroblasts and immunoblasts), immunophenotype (strong expression of bcl-2 and Mum-1/IRF4), and prognosis may arise at sites other than the leg^ref. In the WHO-EORTC classification the term "PCLBCL, leg type" is proposed for both lesions on the legs and similar lesions at other skin sites. In addition, the term "PCLBCL, other" is introduced for rare cases of PCLBCL not belonging to the group of PCLBCL, leg type, or PCFCL with a diffuse infiltration of large centrocytes.

• mycosis fungoides (MF) or granuloma fungoides is a commonly epidermotropic CTCL (the name is a misnomer because it was formerly thought to be of fungal origin) characterized by a proliferation of small-to medium-sized T lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei. The term MF should be used only for the classical "Alibert-Bazin" type characterized by the evolution of patches, plaques, and tumors, or for variants showing a similar clinical course

Epidemiology : MF typically affects older adults (median age at diagnosis: 55-60 years; male-to-female ratio: 1.6-2.0:1), but may occur in children and adolescents^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. MF is the most common type of CTCL and accounts for almost 50% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas.
Aetiology :
• HTLV-1 ?
• Borrelia burgdorferi : in an endemic area, PCR for the flagellin gene of Bb was used to study formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lesional skin biopsies from 83 patients with MF and 83 sex- and age-matched healthy controls with homolocalised cutaneous nevi. Borrelia burgdorferi-specific sequence was detected in 15 out of 83 skin samples of patients with MF (18.1%), but in 0 out of 83 matched healthy controls (P<0.0001)^ref
Pathogenesis : neoplastic T cells in mycosis fungoides (MF) are resistant to apoptotic agents, including galectin-1 that is abundant in skin. While MF cells are typically CD7^-, and thus galectin-1 resistant, CD7⁺ HH cells, derived from an MF patient, were also resistant to galectin-1. HH cells demonstrate altered cell surface glycosylation, with loss of core 2 O-glycan ligands for galectin-1 created by core 2 b1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT-I). Loss of core 2 O-glycans on tumor cells was also seen in primary CD7⁺ MF lesions. Surprisingly, HH cells are heterozygous for a C2GnT-I point mutation, yet this mutation resulted in a dramatic reduction in cellular glycosyltransferase activity. Expression of wildtype C2GnT-I in human HH cells, or murine lymphoma cells that lack C2GnT-I, restored core 2 O-glycan expression and susceptibility to galectin-1, while mutant enzyme lacked activity and did not restore core 2 O-glycan expression or susceptibility to galectin-1. Mutant enzyme did not have a dominant negative effect by affecting dimerization or activity of wildtype enzyme; rather, C2GnT-I haploinsufficiency is sufficient for loss of core 2 O-glycan expression and galectin-1 resistance. Thus, glycosyltransferase haploinsufficiency results in altered cellular glycosylation and resistance to cell death, identifying a new survival mechanism for T lymphoma cells^ref.
Symptoms & signs : MF has an indolent clinical course with slow progression over years or sometimes decades, from patches to more infiltrated plaques and eventually to tumors. In some patients, lymph nodes and visceral organs may become involved in the later stages of the disease. The initial skin lesions have a predilection for the buttocks and other sun-protected areas. Patients with tumor-stage MF characteristically show a combination of patches, plaques, and tumors, which often show ulceration. If only tumors are present, without preceding or concurrent patches or plaques, a diagnosis of MF is highly unlikely and another type of CTCL should be considered. In some cases it evolves into generalized lymphoma with a tendency for nodal, hematogenous, and visceral involvement. Stages :
• premycotic stage : intensely pruritic erythematous, eczematous, or psoriasiform eruptions on the buttock
• mycotic stage / stage of infiltrated plaques : presence of Sézary cells
• tumor stage : mushroom-like tumors that often ulcerate
In a variant type of tumor stage (mycosis fungoides d'emblée), tumors may develop without preceding lesions or prodromal symptoms
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology : early patch lesions in MF show superficial bandlike or lichenoid infiltrates, mainly consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes. Atypical cells with small-to medium-sized, highly indented (cerebriform), and sometimes hyperchromatic nuclei are few, and mostly confined to the epidermis (epidermotropism). They characteristically colonize the basal layer of the epidermis either as single, often haloed cells, or in a linear configuration^ref. In typical plaques, epidermotropism is generally more pronounced than in the patches. The presence of intraepidermal collections of atypical cells (Pautrier microabscesses) is a highly characteristic feature, but is observed in only a minority of cases^ref. With progression to tumor stage, the dermal infiltrates become more diffuse and epidermotropism may be lost. The tumor cells increase in number and size, showing variable proportions of small, medium-sized, to large cerebriform cells, blast cells with prominent nuclei, and intermediate forms. Transformation to a diffuse large-cell lymphoma that may be either CD30^- or CD30⁺ may occur and is often associated with a poor prognosis^ref. Mycosis fungoides. (A) Typical patches and plaques on the trunk. (B) Infiltration of atypical T cells into the epidermis with formation of Pautrier microabscess (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining; original magnification, x 200). The image in panel B was obtained through a Leica DM6000B microscope (Leica, Rijswijk, the Netherlands). Image acquisition was performed with a ProgResC10 camera and software (JenaOptik, Jena, Germany). An HC Plan APO 40x/0.85 objective was used.


• immunophenotype : the neoplastic cells in MF have a mature CD2⁺3⁺4⁺5⁺7^+/-8^-45RO⁺ memory T-cell phenotype. In rare cases of otherwise classical, MF a CD4^-, CD8⁺ mature T-cell phenotype may be seen^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. Such cases have the same clinical behavior and prognosis as CD4⁺ cases, and should not be considered separately. Demonstration of an aberrant phenotype (eg, loss of pan–T-cell antigens such as CD2, CD3, and CD5) is often seen and is an important adjunct in the diagnosis of MF^ref. Expression of cytotoxic proteins (T-cell intracellular antigen-1 [TIA-1], granzyme B) by the neoplastic CD4⁺ T-cells has been detected in 10% of MF plaques, but is much more common in tumors showing blastic transformation^ref.
• cytogenetics : clonal TcR gene rearrangements are detected in most cases^ref. Many structural and numerical chromosomal abnormalities have been described, in particular in the advanced stages of MF, but recurrent, MF-specific chromosomal translocations have not been identified^{ref1, ref2}. Chromosomal loss at 10q and abnormalities in p15, p16, and p53 tumor suppressor genes are commonly found in patients with MF^ref.
Prognosis : dependent on stage, and in particular the type and extent of skin lesions and the presence of extracutaneous disease^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Patients with limited patch/plaque-stage MF have a similar life expectancy to an age-, sex-, and race-matched control population. In recent studies, 10-year disease-specific survivals were 97-98% for patients with limited patch/plaque disease (covering < 10% of the skin surface), 83% for patients with generalized patch/plaque disease (covering > 10% of the skin surface), 42% for patients with tumor stage disease, and about 20% for patients with histologically documented lymph node involvement^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Patients with effaced lymph nodes, visceral involvement, and transformation into a large T-cell lymphoma have an aggressive clinical course. Patients usually die of systemic involvement or infections. In its earliest stage, IA (patches and/or plaques involving < 10% of body surface area), MF has a survival that does not impact the expected normal life span (Zackheim HS, Amin S, Kashani-Sabet M, et al. Prognosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma by skin stage: Long-term survival in 489 patients. J Am Acad Dematol. 1999;40:418–425)^ref. Alternatively, patients with extracutaneous disease, or stage IV, have median survivals < 2 years^ref
Therapy^{ref1, ref2} :
• limited stage disease^ref : skin-targeted therapies as photo (chemo)–therapy (eg, psoralen plus ultraviolet A [PUVA]), topical application of nitrogen mustard or carmustine (BCNU), or radiotherapy, including total skin electron beam irradiation (TSEBI), are preferred^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. In patients with limited patch-stage disease topical corticosteroids or bexarotene gel can be used. However, the exact place of these new treatments, either as single-agent therapy or in combination with other therapies (eg, PUVA) in the treatment of MF remains to be established. Multiagent chemotherapy is generally used in case of unequivocal lymph node or systemic involvement, or in cases with widespread tumor-stage MF refractory to skin-targeted therapies, but should not be considered in early patch/plaque stage disease^ref.
• more advanced disease : systemic therapy includes photopheresis, IFN-a and other cytokines (eg, IL-12), steroids, and chemotherapy. New agents that have been developed for progressive and/or stage IV disease include^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5} :
• bexarotene (Targretin, LGD 1069) is an oral agent, a rexinoid or RXR-selective retinoid agonist, approved in 2000 in the US for patients with MF who are refractory to at least one prior systemic therapy. In patients with relapsed MF who were heavily pretreated, response rates of 45% and 55% were observed among patients receiving 300 mg/m²/d or higher doses, respectively^ref. The median time to response was 180 days (range, 14 to 197) for patients receiving 300 mg/m²/d and 59 days (range, 22 to 169) for the higher doses^ref. Approximately 33% of patients progressed at a median time of 1 year. The most common adverse events were hypertriglyceridemia (82%), hypercholesterolemia (30%), hypothyroidism (29%), elevated liver functions (20%), headache (20%), asthenia (16%), pruritus (13%), leukopenia (11%), and rash (11%)^ref. Lipid lowering agents and thyroid replacement for central hypothyroidism are recommended. In a pilot project 10 patients with advanced CTCLs, who had received a variety of previous treatments, were treated with bexarotene 300 mg/m² body surface daily at the departments of dermatology in Munster, Minden and Charite Berlin, Germany^ref
• DAB389IL-2; denileukin diftitox, also approved in the US in 2000, is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of peptide sequences for the enzymatically active and membrane translocation domains of diphtheria toxin with rIL-2. CD25, an IL-2 receptor marker, has been utilized for determining eligibility for denileukin difitox; however, studies are investigating whether the marker is required for response. In a trial of 2 dose levels of denileukin difitox, 9 or 18 µg/kg/d x 5 days every 3 weeks, 30% of 71 patients with MF had an objective response (20% PR, 10% CR)^ref. The median time to first response was 6 weeks (range 3-27), and 95% of patients who had a response had at least a 25% decrease in disease by week 9.60 The median duration of response was 6.9 months (range, 2.7-46.1+). Adverse events included acute infusion-related events in 60% of patients [dyspnea (20%), back pain (17%), hypotension (17%), and chest pain/tightness (13%)], flu-like symptoms in 85% of patients, and a vascular leak syndrome (hypoalbuminemia, edema and/or hypotensin) in 25% of patients. Hypoalbuminemia occurred in 79% (15% grade 3 or 4) and elevated hepatic transaminases were observed in 61% (17% grade 3 or 4) of patients^ref
• nucleoside analogs, 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF; pentostatin), 2 chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA), and fludarabine (F-ara-A AMP) are purine antimetabolites that inhibit adensosine deaminase, an enzyme with high concentrations in lymphoid cells, particularly T cells. The phosphorylated derivatives of the analogs induce apoptosis through down regulation of ribonucleotide reductase and inhibition of DNA replication and repair. Most of the clinical trials of these agents in T cell lymphomas have been in patients with MF, but some of the studies have included PTCL, usually with cutaneous involvement^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6} (Kurzrock R. Pentostatin (Nipent) in T-cell lymphomas. Semin Oncol. 2000;27(suppl 5):64–66). Gemcitabine (2',2-difluorodeoxy-cytidine) is a pyrimidine antimetabolite that has also shown activity in MF and PTCL^ref. The results of some of the largest series of patients primarily with advanced stage MF who received single agent nucleoside analogs. The response rates vary from a low of 19% for fludarabine to 70% and 71% for gemcitabine and dCF, respectively; the latter two series included patients with PTCL whose response was similar to MF. The median duration of response is usually < 6 months. The addition of interferon to dCF in MF did not appear to increase the response rate (41%) but did improve the progression-free survival in responders to over a year (13.1 mo)^ref

drug/author		no. of patients	regimen	response rate (%)	CR (%)	comments
fludarabine	Von Hoffref	31	25 mg/m2/d x 5	19	3	SWOG: 30% response in good risk
2'-deoxycoformycin	Horef	44	4 mg/m2 q week x 3, then q 2 wk x 3, q mo x4	36	2	EORTC: median response 4.5 mo for SS and 8.3 mo for MF
	Kurzrock R. Pentostatin (Nipent) in T-cell lymphomas. Semin Oncol. 2000;27(suppl 5):64–66	24	3.75-5.0 mg/m2/d q d X 3d q 3 wks	71	25	median response was 2 mo in tumor stage mycosis fungoides and 3.5 mo in Sezary syndrome. 3 pts with PTCL responded.
2-CdA	Savenref	15	0.05-0.15 mg/kg/d x 7 d	47	20	median response of 5 mo
	Kuzelref	21	0.1 mg/kg/d x 7 d or x 5 d	28	14	median response 4.5 mo for CR, 2 mo for PR
gemcitabine	Zinzaniref	44	1.2 gm/m2 d 1,8,15 q mo x 3 cycles	70	11.5	no difference in response between PTCL (N=14) and MF; median response 15 mo for CR, 10 mo for PR

• extracorporeal photochemotherapy
• lymphocytapheresis
• variants and subtypes of mycosis fungoides : apart from the classical Alibert-Bazin type of MF, many clinical and/or histologic variants have been reported. Clinical variants, such as bullous and hyper- or hypopigmented MF, have a clinical behavior similar to that of classical MF, and therefore are not considered separately. In contrast, folliculotropic MF (MF-associated follicular mucinosis), pagetoid reticulosis, and granulomatous slack skin have distinctive clinicopathologic features, and are therefore considered separately.
• folliculotropic MF is a variant of MF characterized by the presence of folliculotropic infiltrates, often with sparing of the epidermis, and preferential involvement of the head and neck area. Most cases show mucinous degeneration of the hair follicles (follicular mucinosis) and are traditionally designated as MF-associated follicular mucinosis. Similar cases, but without follicular mucinosis, have been reported as folliculocentric or pilotropic MF^ref. Recent studies showed no differences in clinical presentation and clinical behavior between cases of folliculotropic MF with or without associated follicular mucinosis, and suggested that cases with a preferential infiltration of hair follicles with or without the presence of mucin should be termed "follicular MF" or "folliculotropic MF"^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. In the WHO-EORTC classification, folliculotropic MF is preferred as the most appropriate term. From a biologic point of view, the most relevant feature in both cases with and without associated follicular mucinosis is the deep, follicular, and perifollicular localization of the neoplastic infiltrates, which makes them less accessible to skin-targeted therapies.
Epidemiology : occurs mostly in adults, but may occasionally affect children and adolescents. Males are more often affected than females
Symptoms & signs : patients may present with grouped follicular papules, acneiform lesions, indurated plaques, and sometimes tumors, which preferentially involve and are most pronounced in the head and neck area^ref. The skin lesions are often associated with alopecia, and sometimes with mucinorrhea. Infiltrated plaques in the eyebrows with concurrent alopecia are a common and highly characteristic finding. Unlike in classical MF, pruritus is often severe, and may represent a good parameter of disease progression. Secondary bacterial infections are frequently observed.
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology. Characteristic findings include the primarily perivascular and periadnexal localization of the dermal infiltrates with variable infiltration of the follicular epithelium by small, medium-sized, or sometimes large hyperchromatic cells with cerebriform nuclei, and sparing of the epidermis (folliculotropism instead of epidermotropism). Most cases show mucinous degeneration of the follicular epithelium (follicular mucinosis), as assessed with Alcian blue staining. There is often a considerable admixture of eosinophils and sometimes plasma cells. In most cases the neoplastic T cells have a CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8^- phenotype as in classical MF. An admixture of CD30⁺ blast cells is common. (A) Infiltrated plaques on the forehead and right eyebrow showing hair loss. (B) Diffuse dermal infiltrate surrounding follicular structures. Note infiltrate-free zone beneath epidermis (no epidermotropism) (H&E staining; original magnification, x 25). Image acquisition was performed as described for Figure 1B. An HC FLUOTAR 2.5x/0.07 objective was used.


In some cases, prominent infiltration of both follicular epithelium and eccrine sweat glands may be observed^ref. Similar cases with prominent infiltration of eccrine sweat glands, often associated with alopecia, have been designated as syringotropic MF^{ref1, ref2}
Prognosis : recent studies described a disease-specific 5-year survival of approximately 70-80% in patients with folliculotropic MF, which is similar to that of classical tumor-stage MF, but significantly worse than that of patients with classical plaque stage MF^{ref1, ref2}
Treatment : because of the perifollicular localization of the dermal infiltrates, folliculotropic MF is often less responsive to skin-targeted therapies, such as PUVA and topical nitrogen mustard, than classical plaque-stage MF. In such cases total skin electron beam irradiation is an effective treatment, but sustained complete remissions are rarely achieved^ref. Alternatively, PUVA combined with retinoids or interferon alpha may be considered, whereas persistent tumors can be effectively treated with local radiotherapy.
• pagetoid reticulosis is a variant of MF characterized by the presence of localized patches or plaques with an intraepidermal proliferation of neoplastic T cells. The term pagetoid reticulosis should only be used for the localized type (Woringer-Kolopp type) and not for the disseminated type (Ketron-Goodman type). Generalized cases would currently likely be classified as aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ CTCL, cutaneous g/d⁺ T-cell lymphoma, or tumor

Symptoms & signs : patients present with a solitary psoriasiform or hyperkeratotic patch or plaque, which is usually localized on the extremities
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology. The typical histologic picture shows a hyperplastic epidermis with marked infiltration by atypical pagetoid cells, singly or arranged in nests. The atypical cells have medium-sized or large, sometimes hyperchromatic and cerebriform nuclei, and abundant, vacuolated cytoplasm. The upper dermis may show a mixed infiltrate of lymphocytes or histiocytes, but does not contain neoplastic T cells.
• immunophenotype : the neoplastic T cells may have either a CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8^- or a CD3⁺, CD4^-, CD8⁺ phenotype. CD30 is often expressed^{ref1, ref2}
Prognosis : slowly progressive. In contrast to classical MF, extracutaneous dissemination or disease-related deaths have never been reported
Treatment : the preferred mode is radiotherapy or surgical excision. In some instances topical nitrogen mustard or topical corticosteroids may be an acceptable alternative.
• granulomatous slack skin (GSS) is an extremely rare subtype of CTCL characterized by the slow development of folds of lax skin in the major skin folds and histologically by a granulomatous infiltrate with clonal T cells^ref
Symptoms & signs : circumscribed areas of pendulous lax skin with a predilection for the axillae and groins. In approximately one-third of the reported patients, an association with Hodgkin lymphoma was observed, and association with classical MF has also been reported^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Most patients have an indolent clinical course
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology. Fully developed lesions show dense granulomatous dermal infiltrates containing atypical T cells with slightly indented to cerebriform nuclei, macrophages and often many multinucleated giant cells, and destruction of elastic tissue. The epidermis may show focal infiltration by small atypical T cells
• immunophenotype : the atypical T cells have a CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8^- phenotype.
Therapy : radiotherapy may be effective, but experience is limited. Rapid recurrences after surgical excision have been reported.
• Sézary syndrome (SS) or erythroderma (Sézary A & Bouvrain Y. Erythrodermie avec présence de cellules monstrueuses dans le derme et sang circulant. Bull.Soc.Franç Derm.Syph. 45:254-260 (1938)) is defined historically by the triad of erythroderma, generalized lymphadenopathy, and the presence of neoplastic T cells (Sézary cells) in skin, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood^ref. In a recent report of the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL), criteria recommended for the diagnosis of SS include one or more of the following:
• an absolute Sézary cell count > 1000 cells/mm³
• demonstration of immunophenotypical abnormalities (an expanded CD4⁺ T-cell population resulting in a CD4/CD8 ratio > 10, loss of any or all of the T-cell antigens CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD5, or both)
• demonstration of a T-cell clone in the peripheral blood by molecular or cytogenetic methods^ref
It is acknowledged that SS is part of a broader spectrum of erythrodermic CTCL, and that alternative staging systems for assessment of the degree of peripheral blood involvement in these erythrodermic CTCLs have been proposed^{ref1, ref2}. However, until the results of an ISCL study investigating the clinical validity of these proposals are available, demonstration of a T-cell clone (preferably of the same T-cell clone in skin and peripheral blood) in combination with one of the above-mentioned cytomorphologic or immunophenotypic criteria are suggested as minimal criteria for the diagnosis of SS to exclude patients with benign inflammatory conditions simulating SS.
Epidemiology : SS is a rare disease and occurs exclusively in adults. It is characterized by erythroderma, which may be associated with marked exfoliation, edema, and lichenification, and which is intensely pruritic. Lymphadenopathy, alopecia, onychodystrophy, and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis are common findings^ref
Aetiology : HTLV-1 ?
Symptoms & signs : exfoliative erythroderma, intense pruritus, peripheral lymphadenopathy, Pautrier's microabscess or abscess (one of the well-defined collections of mycosis cells located within nonspongiotic intraepidermal vesicles in CTCL)
Laboratory examinations :
• Sézary cell (an abnormal mononuclear cell (medium to large lymphocyte) with a hyperchromic infolded cribriform nucleus (said to resemble a monocyte nucleus) and a narrow rim of cytoplasm that may contain vacuoles, occurring in small and large cell variants)


• histopathology : the histological features in SS may be similar to those in MF. However, the cellular infiltrates in SS are more often monotonous, and epidermotropism may sometimes be absent. In up to one-third of biopsies from patients with otherwise classical SS the histologic picture may be nonspecific^{ref1, ref2}. Involved lymph nodes characteristically show a dense, monotonous infiltrate of Sézary cells with effacement of the normal lymph node architecture^ref. Bone marrow may be involved, but the infiltrates are often sparse and mainly interstitial^ref
• immunophenotype : the neoplastic T cells have a CD1a⁺⁺2⁺⁺3⁺⁺4⁺⁺5⁺⁺7⁺⁺8^-10^-11b^-16^-19^-25^-38^-71^-158k / KIR3DL2⁺TdT^-, sIg^-, HLA-DR^- phenotype. In cases with a predominant CD3⁺, CD4^-, CD8⁺ T-cell population in the skin and peripheral blood, the diagnosis of actinic reticuloid should be considered^ref. Circulating Sézary cells often show loss of CD7 and CD26^ref
• cytogenetics : TcR genes are clonally rearranged. Demonstration of clonal T cells in the peripheral blood is considered as an important diagnostic criterion allowing differentiation between SS and benign forms of erythroderma^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Recurrent chromosomal translocations have not been detected in SS, but complex karyotypes are common^{ref1, ref2}. Several studies have identified a consistent pattern of identical chromosomal abnormalities in SS, which was almost identical to that in MF, suggesting that both conditions represent parts of the same spectrum of disease with a similar pathogenesis^{ref1, ref2}. Chromosomal amplification of the JUNB gene, a member of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex involved in cell proliferation and T helper 2 (T_h2) cytokine expression by T cells, has been identified in SS^{ref1, ref2}
• circulating malignant and nonmalignant clones vimentin^hiCD158k^-ref
• T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality studies
• TCR Vb monoclonal antibody (mAb) analysis alone is not enough
Prognosis : generally poor, with a median survival between 2 and 4 years, depending on the exact definition used^{ref1, ref2}. The disease-specific 5-year survival of 52 SS patients included in the Dutch and Austrian registries was 24%. Most patients die of opportunistic infections that are due to immunosuppression.
Therapy^ref : extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), either alone or in combination with other treatment modalities (eg, IFN-a), has been reported as an effective treatment in SS and erythrodermic MF, with overall response rates of 30%-80%, and complete response rates of 14-25%^{ref1, ref2}. This great variation in response rates may reflect differences in patient selection and/or concurrent therapies. The suggested superiority of ECP over the traditional low-dose chemotherapy regimens has not yet been substantiated by controlled randomized trials^ref. Beneficial results have also reported of IFN-a, either alone or in combination with PUVA therapy, prolonged treatment with a combination of low-dose chlorambucil (2-4 mg/d) and prednisone (10-20 mg/d) or with methotrexate (5-25 mg/wk), but complete responses are uncommon. Skin-directed therapies like PUVA or potent topical corticosteroids may be used as adjuvant therapy. Recent studies report beneficial effects of bexarotene and alemtuzumab (anti-CD52) but the long-term effects of these therapies remain to be established^{ref1, ref2, ref3}
• adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a T-cell neoplasm etiologically associated with the human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1). Skin lesions are generally a manifestation of widely disseminated disease. However, a slowly progressive form that may have only skin lesions has been described (smoldering variant)^ref

Epidemiology : ATLL is endemic in areas with a high prevalence of HTLV-1 in the population, such as southwest Japan, the Caribbean islands, South America, and parts of Central Africa. ATLL develops in 1% to 5% of seropositive individuals after more than 2 decades of viral persistence
Symptoms & signs : most patients present with acute ATLL characterized by the presence of leukemia, lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, hypercalcemia, and in about 50% skin lesions, most commonly nodules or tumors (33%), generalized papules (22%), or plaques (19%)^ref. Chronic and smoldering variants frequently present with skin lesions, which may closely resemble MF, whereas circulating neoplastic T cells are few or absent.
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology : skin lesions show a superficial or more diffuse infiltration of medium-sized to large T cells with pleomorphic or polylobated nuclei, which often display marked epidermotropism. The histologic picture may be indistinguishable from MF. Skin lesions in the smoldering type may show sparse dermal infiltrates with only slightly atypical cells. The neoplastic T cells express a CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8^- phenotype. CD25 is highly expressed^{ref1, ref2}
• genetic features : TcR genes are clonally rearranged. Clonally integrated HTLV-1 genes are found in all cases, and are useful in differentiating between chronic or smoldering variants of ATLL and classical MF or SS^ref
Prognosis : clinical subtype is the main prognostic factor. Survival in acute and lymphomatous variants ranges from 2 weeks to > 1 year. Chronic and smoldering forms have a more protracted clinical course and a longer survival, but transformation into an acute phase with an aggressive course may occur^{ref1, ref2}
Therapy : in most cases systemic chemotherapy is required.98,99 In chronic and smoldering cases mainly affecting the skin, skin-targeted therapies as in MF may be used.
• primary cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders are the second most common group of CTCLs, accounting for approximately 30% of CTCLs. This group includes primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (C-ALCL), lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), and borderline cases. It is now generally accepted that C-ALCL and LyP form a spectrum of disease, and that histologic criteria alone are often insufficient to differentiate between these 2 ends of this spectrum^ref. The clinical appearance and course are used as decisive criteria for the definite diagnosis and choice of treatment. The term "borderline case" refers to cases in which, despite careful clinicopathologic correlation, a definite distinction between C-ALCL and LyP cannot be made. Clinical examination during further follow-up will generally disclose whether the patient has C-ALCL or LyP^ref.
• primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (C-ALCL) is composed of large cells with an anaplastic, pleomorphic, or immunoblastic cytomorphology and expression of the CD30 antigen by the majority (> 75%) of tumor cells^ref. There is no clinical evidence or history of LyP, MF, or another type of CTCL.

Epidemiology : C-ALCL affects mainly adults with a male to female ratio of 2-3:1
Symptoms & signs : most patients present with solitary or localized nodules or tumors, and sometimes papules, and often show ulceration^{ref1, ref2}. Multifocal lesions are seen in about 20% of the patients. Multiple small lesions (< 1 cm) are more common in LyP, whereas primary cutaneous ALCL is typified by single or grouped lesions, often > 2 cm in size. These lymphomas frequently relapse in the skin. Extracutaneous dissemination occurs in approximately 10% of the patients, and mainly involves the regional lymph nodes, and most often in patients with multiple lesions.
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology. There is a diffuse, nonepidermotropic infiltrate with cohesive sheets of large CD30⁺ tumor cells. In most cases the tumor cells have the characteristic morphology of anaplastic cells, showing round, oval, or irregularly shaped nuclei, prominent eosinophilic nucleoli, and abundant cytoplasm. Less commonly (20-25%), they have a nonanaplastic (pleomorphic or immunoblastic) appearance^{ref1, ref2}. Reactive lymphocytes are often present at the periphery of the lesions. Ulcerating lesions may show a LyP-like histology with an abundant inflammatory infiltrate of reactive T cells, histiocytes, eosinophils and/or neutrophils, and relatively few CD30⁺ cells. In such cases epidermal hyperplasia may be prominent.Primary cutaneous CD30+lymphoproliferative disease (pcCD30⁺ LPD). (A) Diffuse dermal infiltrate of large atypical cells admixed with small lymphocytes. (H&E staining; original magnification, x 300). (B) The large atypical cells are strongly positive for CD30. (C-D) The histologic picture in panels A and B can be found both in C-ALC and in LyP. The final diagnosis depends on the clinical presentation. In combination with the solitary tumor of the patient shown in panel C the definite diagnosis will be C-ALC; in combination with recurrent, self-healing papulonecrotic skin lesions (D), the final diagnosis is LyP. Image acquisition for panels A and B was performed as described for Figure 1B. An HC Plan APO 20x/0.70 objective was used.


• immunophenotype : the neoplastic cells generally show an activated CD4⁺ T-cell phenotype with variable loss of CD2, CD5, and/or CD3, and frequent expression of cytotoxic proteins (granzyme B, TIA-1, perforin)^{ref1, ref2}. Some cases (< 5%) have a CD8⁺ T-cell phenotype. CD30 must be expressed by the majority (> 75%) of the neoplastic T cells^ref. Unlike systemic CD30⁺ lymphomas, most C-ALCLs express the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA), but do not express epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), indicative of the 2;5 chromosomal translocation or its variants^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Unlike Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin disease, staining for CD15 is generally negative. Coexpression of CD56 is observed in rare cases, but does not appear to be associated with an unfavorable prognosis^ref.
• cytogenetics : most cases show clonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor genes. The (2;5)(p23;q35) translocation and its variants, which is a characteristic feature of systemic ALCL, is not or rarely found in C-ALCL^ref.
Prognosis : usually favorable with a 10-year disease-related survival exceeding 90%^{ref1, ref2}. Spontaneous regression is the rule for LyP; however, regression also occurs in approximately 25% of C-ALCL^ref. Patients presenting with multifocal skin lesions and patients with involvement of only regional lymph nodes have a similar prognosis to patients with only skin lesions^ref. No difference in clinical presentation, clinical behavior, or prognosis is found between cases with an anaplastic morphology and cases with a nonanaplastic (pleomorphic or immunoblastic) morphology^{ref1, ref2}.
Therapy : radiotherapy or surgical excision is the first choice of treatment in patients presenting with a solitary or few localized nodules or tumors. Patients presenting with multifocal skin lesions can best be treated with radiotherapy in case of only a few lesions, or with low-dose methotrexate, as in LyP^{ref1, ref2}. Patients presenting with or developing extracutaneous disease or rare patients with rapidly progressive skin disease should be treated with doxorubicin-based multiagent chemotherapy.
Differential diagnosis : C-ALCL should be distinguished from LyP and systemic ALCL to avoid unnecessarily aggressive therapy.
• lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is defined as a chronic, recurrent, self-healing papulonecrotic or papulonodular skin disease with histologic features suggestive of a (CD30⁺) malignant lymphoma. Lymphomatoid papulosis, Hodgkin's disease, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can be derived from a single T-cell clone. A t(8;9)(p22;p24) genetic translocation may be involved in the pathogenesis of lymphomatoid papulosis or its progression to malignant disease^ref. The similarity of the immunophenotype of Reed-Sternberg cells in lymph nodes affected by Hodgkin's disease and the immunophenotype of atypical cells of lymphomatoid papulosis lesions in the same patients suggests that the malignant cells in both conditions are derived from activated T cells and that they are closely related if not identical^ref.

Epidemiology : LyP generally occurs in adults (median age, 45 years; male-to-female ratio, 1.5:1), but may occur in children as well^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. LyP is characterized by the presence of papular, papulonecrotic, and/or nodular skin lesions at different stages of development, predominantly on the trunk and limbs. Individual skin lesions disappear within 3 to 12 weeks, and may leave behind superficial scars. The duration of the disease may vary from several months to more than 40 years. In up to 20% of patients LyP may be preceded by, associated with, or followed by another type of malignant (cutaneous) lymphoma, generally MF, a (C-)ALCL, or Hodgkin lymphoma^ref
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology. The histologic picture of LyP is extremely variable, and in part correlates with the age of the biopsied skin lesion. 3 histologic subtypes of LyP (types A, B, and C) have been described, which represent a spectrum with overlapping features^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. In LyP type A lesions, scattered or small clusters of large, sometimes multinucleated or Reed-Sternberg–like, CD30⁺ cells are intermingled with numerous inflammatory cells, such as histiocytes, small lymphocytes, neutrophils, and/or eosinophils. LyP type C lesions demonstrate a monotonous population or large clusters of large CD30⁺ T cells with relatively few admixed inflammatory cells. LyP type B is uncommon (< 10%) and is characterized by an epidermotropic infiltrate of small atypical cells with cerebriform nuclei similar to that observed in MF.
• immunophenotype. The large atypical cells in the LyP type A and type C lesions have the same phenotype as the tumor cells in C-ALCL^ref. The atypical cells with cerebriform nuclei in the LyP type B lesions have a CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8^- phenotype and do not express CD30 antigen.
• cytogenetics : clonally rearranged T-cell receptor genes have been detected in approximately 60%-70% of LyP lesions^ref. Identical rearrangements have been demonstrated in LyP lesions and associated lymphomas^ref. The (2;5)(p23;q35) translocation is not detected in LyP^ref
Prognosis : excellent. In a recent study of 118 LyP patients only 5 (4%) patients developed a systemic lymphoma, and only 2 (2%) patients died of systemic disease over a median follow-up period of 77 months^ref. Risk factors for the development of a systemic lymphoma are unknown.
Therapy : since a curative therapy is not available and none of the available treatment modalities affects the natural course of the disease, the short-term benefits of active treatment should be balanced carefully against the potential side effects^ref. Low-dose oral methotrexate (5-20 mg/wk) is the most effective therapy to suppress the development of new skin lesions^ref. Beneficial effects have been reported of PUVA and topical chemotherapy^ref. However, after discontinuation of treatment the disease generally relapses within weeks or months. Therefore, in patients with relatively few and nonscarring lesions, long-term follow-up without active treatment should be considered
• subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTL) is defined as a cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of primarily subcutaneous infiltrates of small, medium-sized, or large pleomorphic T cells and many macrophages, predominantly affecting the legs, and often complicated by a hemophagocytic syndrome.12 Recent studies suggest that at least 2 groups of SPTL with a different histology, phenotype, and prognosis can be distinguished. Cases with an a/b⁺ T-cell phenotype are usually CD8⁺, are restricted to the subcutaneous tissue (no dermal and/or epidermal involvement), and often run an indolent clinical course^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. In contrast, SPTL with a / T-cell phenotype, approximately 25% of all cases, are typically CD4^-, CD8^-, and often coexpress CD56, the neoplastic infiltrates are not confined to the subcutaneous tissue, but may involve the epidermis and/or dermis as well, and invariably have a very poor prognosis^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. In the WHO-EORTC classification the term "SPTL" is only used for cases with an a/b⁺ T-cell phenotype, whereas cases with a g/d⁺ T-cell phenotype are included in the category of cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphomas^ref.

Epidemiology : SPTL occurs in adults as well as in young children, and both sexes are equally affected
Symptoms & signs : patients generally present with solitary or multiple nodules and plaques, which mainly involve the legs, or may be more generalized. Ulceration is uncommon. Systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss may be present. The disease may be complicated by a hemophagocytic syndrome, which is generally associated with a rapidly progressive course^ref. However, a hemophagocytic syndrome is probably less common than in cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphomas with panniculitis-like lesions. Dissemination to extracutaneous sites is rare. SPTL may be preceded for years or decades by an seemingly benign panniculitis^{ref1, ref2, ref3}
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology reveals subcutaneous infiltrates simulating a panniculitis showing small, medium-sized, or sometimes large pleomorphic T cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and often many macrophages. The overlying epidermis and dermis are typically uninvolved^{ref1, ref2}. Rimming of individual fat cells by neoplastic T cells is a helpful, though not completely specific, diagnostic feature^ref. Necrosis, karyorrhexis, and cytophagocytosis are common findings. In the early stages the neoplastic infiltrates may lack significant atypia and a heavy inflammatory infiltrate may predominate^{ref1, ref2, ref3}
• immunophenotype. These lymphomas show a a/b⁺, CD3⁺, CD4^-, CD8⁺ T-cell phenotype, with expression of cytotoxic proteins^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. CD30 and CD56 are rarely, if ever, expressed. Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. (A) Deeply seated nodular skin lesions and residual lipodystrophy after disappearance of the skin lesions. (B) Infiltrates are almost exclusively localized in subcutaneous tissue resembling a lobular panniculitis (H&E staining; original magnification, x 25). (C) Rimming of individual fat cells by neoplastic T cells (H&E staining; original magnification, x 480). (D) Tumor cells show positive staining for CD8. Image acquisition for panels B-D was performed as described for Figure 1B. An HC FLUOTAR 2.5x/0.07 objective was used for panel B; an HC Plan APO 40x/0.85 objective was used for panels C and D.


• cytogenetics : the neoplastic T cells show clonal TCR gene rearrangements. Specific genetic abnormalities have not been identified. HHV-4 / EBV is absent.
Prognosis : in contrast to prior reports indicating that patients with a SPTL have a rapidly fatal course, recent studies suggest that many patients with a SPTL (with a CD8⁺, a/b⁺ T-cell phenotype) have a protracted clinical course with recurrent subcutaneous lesions but without extracutaneous dissemination or the development of a hemophagocytic syndrome^{ref1, ref2}. Based on the few published reports in which appropriate phenotyping was performed, the 5-year survival of such patients may be > 80%^ref
Therapy : patients have generally been treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6}. However, recent studies suggest that many patients can be controlled for long periods of time with systemic corticosteroids^{ref1, ref2}
• extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a nearly always HHV-4 / EBV⁺ lymphoma of small, medium, or large cells usually with an NK-cell, or more rarely a cytotoxic T-cell, phenotype. The skin is the second most common site of involvement after the nasal cavity/nasopharynx, and skin involvement may be a primary or secondary manifestation of the disease. Since both groups show an aggressive clinical behavior and require the same type of treatment, distinction between "primary" and "secondary" cutaneous involvement seems not useful for this category^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. Therefore, the WHO classification–derived term "extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type," rather than "(primary) cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type," is preferred.

Epidemiology : patients are adults with a predominance of males. This lymphoma is more common in Asia, Central America, and South America. Patients generally present with multiple plaques or tumors preferentially on the trunk and extremities, or in the case of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma with a midfacial destructive tumor, previously also designated "lethal midline granuloma"^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7}. Ulceration is common. Systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, and weight loss may be present, and some cases are accompanied by a hemophagocytic syndrome. The disease is closely related to aggressive NK-cell leukemia, which also may have cutaneous manifestations, and is also HHV-4 / EBV associated.
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology : these lymphomas show dense infiltrates involving the dermis and often the subcutis. Epidermotropism may be present. Prominent angiocentricity and angiodestruction are often accompanied by extensive necrosis^{ref1, ref2}. NK/T-cell lymphoma has a broad cytologic spectrum ranging from small to large cells, with most cases consisting of medium-sized cells. The cells may have irregular or oval nuclei, moderately dense chromatin, and pale cytoplasm. In some cases a heavy inflammatory infiltrate of small lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils can be seen.
• immunophenotype : the neoplastic cells express CD2, CD56, cytoplasmic CD3, and cytotoxic proteins (TIA-1, granzyme B, perforin), but lack surface CD3.122 In rare CD56^- cases detection of EBV by in situ hybridization and expression of cytotoxic proteins are required for diagnosis (Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW (Eds). World Health Organization Classification of Tumors: Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Lyon, France: IARC Press;2001). Latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) is inconsistently expressed.
• cytogenetics : the TcR is usually in germline configuration, but can be rearranged in rare tumors with a cytotoxic T-cell phenotype. HHV-4 / EBV is expressed almost in all cases, suggesting a pathogenetic role of this virus.18 Primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma. (A) Typical presentation with nodules and tumors showing central ulceration. (B-D) Tumor cells show striking epidermotropism (H&E staining; original magnification, x 150), and strongly express CD8 (C) and TIA-1 (D). Image acquisition for panels B-D was performed as described for Figure 1B. An HC Plan APO 10x/0.40 objective lens was used.


Prognosis : nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma presenting in the skin is a highly aggressive tumor with a median survival of < 12 months^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4}. The most important factor predicting poor outcome is the presence of extracutaneous involvement at presentation. In patients presenting with only skin lesions, a median survival of 27 months was reported, compared with 5 months for patients presenting with cutaneous and extracutaneous disease^ref. CD30⁺, CD56⁺ cases reported to have a better prognosis may have been examples of C-ALCL with coexpression of CD56^ref.
Therapy : systemic chemotherapy is the first choice of treatment, but the results are disappointing^{ref1, ref2}
• variant. Hydroa vacciniforme-like CTCL is a rare type of HHV-4 / EBV-associated lymphoma of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells, which affects children almost exclusively in Latin America and Asia^{ref1, ref2, ref3}. Patients present with a papulovesicular eruption clinically resembling hydroa vacciniforme, particularly on the face and upper extremities (sunexposed areas). The prognosis is poor.
• primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTL), in the WHO classification represent a heterogeneous group which includes all T-cell neoplasms that do not fit into any of the better defined subtypes of T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Recent studies have suggested that primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma, and primary cutaneous small-medium CD4⁺ T-cell lymphoma can be separated out as provisional entities. For the remaining diseases that do not fit into either of these provisional entities the designation PTL, unspecified, is maintained. In all cases a diagnosis of MF must be ruled out by complete clinical examination and an accurate clinical history.
• primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma (provisional entity) is characterized by a proliferation of epidermotropic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cells and an aggressive clinical behavior^{ref1, ref2}. Differentiation from other types of CTCL expressing a CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell phenotype, as observed in > 50% of patients with pagetoid reticulosis, and in rare cases of MF, LyP, and C-ALCL, is based on the clinical presentation and clinical behavior^ref. In these latter conditions, no difference in clinical presentation or prognosis between CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cases is found.

Symptoms & signs : localized or disseminated eruptive papules, nodules, and tumors showing central ulceration and necrosis or by superficial, hyperkeratotic patches and plaques^{ref1, ref2}. The clinical features are very similar to those observed in patients with a cutaneous / T-cell lymphoma and cases described as generalized pagetoid reticulosis (Ketron-Goodman type) in the past^ref. These lymphomas may disseminate to other visceral sites (lung, testis, central nervous system, oral mucosa), but lymph nodes are often spared^ref
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology : histologically, these lymphomas show an acanthotic or atrophic epidermis, necrotic keratinocytes, ulceration, and variable spongiosis, sometimes with blister formation^{ref1, ref2}. Epidermotropism is often pronounced ranging from a linear distribution to a pagetoid pattern throughout the epidermis. Invasion and destruction of adnexal skin structures are commonly seen. Angiocentricity and angioinvasion may be present. Tumor cells are small-medium or medium-large with pleomorphic or blastic nuclei.
• immunophenotype. The tumor cells have a betaF1⁺, CD3⁺, CD8⁺, granzyme B⁺, perforin⁺, TIA-1⁺, CD45RA⁺, CD45RO^-, CD2^-, CD4^-, CD5^-, CD7^-/+ phenotype^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. HHV-4 / EBV is generally negative.
• cytogenetics : the neoplastic T cells show clonal TCR gene rearrangements. Specific genetic abnormalities have not been described.
Prognosis : these lymphomas often have an aggressive clinical course with a median survival of 32 months^ref. There is no difference in survival between cases with a small- or large-cell morphology^ref
Therapy : patients are generally treated with doxorubicin-based multiagent chemotherapy.
• cutaneous g/d T-cell lymphoma (CGD-TCL) (provisional entity) is a lymphoma composed of a clonal proliferation of mature, activated g/d T cells with a cytotoxic phenotype. This group includes cases previously known as SPTL with a g/d phenotype. A similar and possibly related condition may present primarily in mucosal sites^ref. Whether cutaneous and mucosal gamma/delta TCL are all part of a single disease (ie, muco-cutaneous g/d TCL) is not yet clear^{ref1, ref2}. Distinction between "primary" and "secondary" cutaneous cases is not useful in this group, since both groups have a very grim prognosis.

Symptoms & signs : generally present with disseminated plaques and/or ulceronecrotic nodules or tumors, particularly on the extremities, but other sites may be affected as well^{ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5}. Involvement of mucosal and other extranodal sites is frequently observed^ref, but involvement of lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow is uncommon. A hemophagocytic syndrome may occur in patients with panniculitis-like tumors^{ref1, ref2}.
Laboratory examinations :
• histopathology : 3 major histologic patterns of involvement can be present in the skin: epidermotropic, dermal, and subcutaneous. Often more than one histologic pattern is present in the same patient in different biopsy specimens or within a single biopsy specimen^{ref1, ref2}. The neoplastic cells are generally medium to large in size with coarsely clumped chromatin. Large blastic cells with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli are infrequent. Apoptosis and necrosis are common, often with angioinvasion. The subcutaneous cases may show rimming of fat cells, similar to SPTL of a/b origin.
• immunophenotype : the tumor cells characteristically have a bF1^-, CD3⁺, CD2⁺, CD5^-, CD7^+/-, CD56⁺ phenotype with strong expression of cytotoxic proteins. Most cases lack both CD4 and CD8, though CD8 may be expressed in some cases^{ref1, ref2}. In frozen sections the cells are strongly positive for TCR-d. If only paraffin sections are available, the absence of bF1 may be used to infer a g/d origin under appropriate circumstances^{ref1, ref2}.
• genetic features : the cells show clonal rearrangement of the TCRg gene. TCRb may be rearranged or deleted, but is not expressed. HHV-4 / EBV is generally negative^{ref1, ref2}.
Prognosis : most patients have aggressive disease resistant to multiagent chemotherapy and/or radiation