Klinische und histologische Kriterien zur Diagnose und Klassifikation der Leukämien der Haut. In: Kresbach H, Kerl H, Braun-falco O, editors. Retikulosen und Lymphome der Haut aus heutiger Sicht. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1979. pp. 97-101. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-67171-5_17]

Specific cutaneous infiltrates in patients with myelogenous leukemia: a clinicopathologic study of 26 patients with assessment of diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND

Few recent studies have analyzed the clinicopathologic features of specific cutaneous manifestations of myelogenous leukemia in a large number of patients.

OBJECTIVE

We characterize the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of specific cutaneous manifestations in acute (AML) and chronic (CML) myelogenous leukemia, ascertain further diagnostic criteria, and examine current prognosis.

METHODS

Thirty-six lesions of specific cutaneous infiltrates from 26 patients with myelogenous leukemia (AML: 17 patients; M:F = 1:2.4; mean age: 52.6 years; AML-French-American-British [FAB] classification subtypes:M1 = 1, M2 = 3, M4 = 8, M5 = 5. CML = 9 patients; M:F = 4.5:1; mean age: 60.6 years) were retrospectively collected for the study.

RESULTS

Cutaneous manifestations presented as solitary or multiple reddish to violaceous papules, plaques, and nodules (17 lesions), or as a generalized erythematous maculopapular eruption (9 lesions). Concurrent extramedullary involvement in other peripheral sites (eg, gums, pharynx, orbits) was observed in 10 patients. Histopathologically, lesions revealed nodular/diffuse infiltrates, often with perivascular and periadnexal accentuation, sparing of the upper papillary dermis, and prominent single arraying of neoplastic cells between collagen bundles. Extension to the subcutis was noted in all deep biopsy specimens (26 lesions). Cytomorphologically, medium to large-sized mononuclear cells (myeloblasts and atypical myelocytes) predominated in AML-M1 and M2, whereas M4 and M5 mainly showed small, medium-sized, or large mononuclear cells with slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and indented, bi-lobular, or kidney-shaped nuclei (atypical monocytoid cells). In CML, either a variable mixture of mature and immature cells of the granulocytic series (myelocytes, metamyelocytes, eosinophilic metamyelocytes, and neutrophils) or a rather monomorphous infiltrate of mononuclear cells were found. Staining for naphthol AS-D chloroacetate-esterase (NASD) was positive in 24 of 36 lesions (66.6%; AML: 16; CML: 8). Immunohistochemical analysis on paraffin sections using a large panel of antibodies (16 lesions: AML: 13; CML: 3) showed strong reactivity for LCA (CD45), lysozyme, myeloperoxidase (MPD), LN2 (CD74), HLA-DR, and MT1 (CD43) in the majority of cases, and variable staining for monocyte/macrophage markers (KP1/CD68, PGM1/CD68, Mac387, Ki-M1p). The neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) marker CD56 was reactive in 2 cases of CML, but negative in all cases of AML. MIB1(Ki67) stained 20% to 80% of neoplastic cells. CD34, CD15, CD20, and CD3 were negative in all cases. No correlation between histochemical/immunohistochemical features with type of leukemia or FAB-subtype of AML was observed. All patients with CML and AML with adequate follow-up died within 24 months after onset of skin lesions (mean survival, AML: 7.6 months; CML: 9.4 months).

CONCLUSION

Specific cutaneous lesions in AML and CML show distinctive clinicopathologic features that allow diagnosis in most cases. Immunohistochemistry on routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections provides useful adjunctive information. Simultaneous expression of lysozyme, MPD, CD45, CD43, and CD74 militates in favor of a diagnosis of specific cutaneous infiltrate of myelogenous leukemia. Pitfalls in immunohistologic diagnosis mainly include lack of expression of some myeloid markers (lysozyme, MPD), and aberrant expression of T-cell markers (eg, CD45RO). Regardless of type of myelogenous leukemia, onset of specific skin manifestations correlates with an aggressive course and short survival.

Prognostic evaluation of specific cutaneous infiltrates in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The relationship between numerous histologic variables and survival was investigated in 54 consecutive lesions of specific skin infiltrates of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) from 27 patients (16 males and 11 females, mean age 65 years, range 42-83 years). All patients were followed for up to 204 months or until death. Histopathologically, the infiltrates showed a patchy perivascular (35%), diffuse (31.5%), nodular (31.5%) or bandlike (1.9%) pattern. In 28% of the cases, an admixture of reactive cells within the infiltrate including eosinophils, histiocytes, neutrophils and plasma cells was observed. Cytomorphologically, small B-lymphocytes with condensed chromatin predominated in most infiltrates. However, some biopsies showed a small but significant number of medium- or large-sized neoplastic cells of the B-lymphocyte lineage with variable cytomorphological features. In a multivariate analysis, several histologic parameters within the infiltrates were found to show a significant association with long survival, namely, an infiltrate of moderate density, a nodular pattern, involvement of the lower dermis only, and presence of predominantly small B-lymphocytes (more than 95%) with condensed chromatin. Histologic variables that independently correlated with relatively short survival included an infiltrate of severe intensity, a diffuse pattern, epidermal changes (especially acanthosis and ulceration), medium-sized and large B-lymphocyte (more than 5%), and reactive cells within the infiltrate (neutrophils, eosinophils, and plasma cells). Overall analysis of our results showed two histologic patterns with a significant prognostic impact (p < 0.01; z = 5.4). Pattern I (33 biopsies) correlated with relatively long survival (2-year survival rate; 97%) and consisted of infiltrates showing predominantly small B-lymphocytes (more than 95%) without reactive cells or epidermal changes. Pattern II (21 biopsies) indicated short survival (2-year survival rate; 49%) and included all the rest of the biopsies i.e., infiltrates with medium- and large-sized B-lymphocytes (more than 5%), admixture of reactive cells, and epidermal changes. Results from our study suggest that histologic features in specific skin infiltrates of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia may be helpful in identifying prognostically different subgroups of patients and planning therapeutic schedules.

Specific skin manifestations in acute leukemia with monocytic differentiation. A morphologic and immunohistochemical study of 11 cases

BACKGROUND

Monocytic differentiation is present in the myelomonocytic (M4) and monocytic (M5) type of acute myeloblastic leukemia. Infiltration of the skin in acute myelomonocytic leukemia occurs in 10-20% of patients, the skin lesions occasionally being the first symptom, even preceding monocytosis.

METHODS

Eleven patients with myelomonocytic (n = 2) and monocytic leukemia (n = 9) were studied who had skin manifestations.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Clinically, all patients showed disseminated papules or nodules that corresponded histologically to nodular or diffuse infiltrates of monocytoid cells, occasionally displaying a whorled pattern. The currently available antibodies for paraffin-embedded sections (lysozyme, elastase, leukocyte common antigen (CD45), MT1 (CD43), Leu-M1 (CD15), LN2 (CD74), MB2, MB1 (CD45RA), LN1 (w75), Mac387, L26 (CD20), UCHL1 (CDR0), MT2 (CD45RA), and KP-1 (CD68)) and chloracetate-esterase are not more helpful in diagnosis than are the histologic findings. By contrast, the antibodies used on frozen sections (Leu-4 (CD3), Leu-3a (CD4), BA1 (CD24), B4 (CD19), Leu-M5 (CD11c), Vim12 (CD11b), VimD5 (CD15), KiM6 (CD68), KIM7 (CD68), My7 (CD13), and My9 (CD33) allow the definition of a reaction pattern that is diagnostic for acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation.