Solitary primary cutaneous CD30+ large cell lymphoma of natural killer cell phenotype bearing the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation and presenting in a child

Am J Dermatopathol. 2000 Oct;22(5):422-8. doi: 10.1097/00000372-200010000-00007.

Abstract

Primary cutaneous CD30+ large cell lymphoma is an unusual tumor most commonly seen in adults. Most of these lymphomas are of T-cell origin and carry a good prognosis. We present the case of a 4-year-old girl with stage IEA CD30+ large cell lymphoma with a CD56+ natural killer cell phenotype and the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation. After excision, the patient has been free of disease for 44 months. Primary cutaneous CD30+ large cell lymphoma is uncommon in children. To our knowledge, primary cutaneous CD30+ natural killer type lymphoma has not been reported previously. The indolent behavior of this tumor indicates its similarity to other primary cutaneous CD30+ large cell lymphomas and its difference from other CD56+ lymphomas involving the skin, which often exhibit an aggressive clinical course. Cases such as this one illustrate why the use of a single, or even a few, immunohistochemical stains can be misleading in regard to lymphoma classification and prognostication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / genetics*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Ki-1 Antigen / analysis
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Translocation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Ki-1 Antigen