Sarcoïdose cutanée pseudotumorale associée à un lymphome malin non hodgkinien

[Profuse sarcoidosis associated with multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas]

BACKGROUND

The cutaneous signs of sarcoidosis are polymorphous and occasionally misleading. Herein, we report a rare case of profuse sarcoidosis involving various rare cutaneous signs specific to the disease associated with multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A seventy-three-year-old man had been presenting dry ichthyosiform erythroderma for 2 years. The examination also revealed diffuse cutaneous atrophy with ulceration, superficial adenopathy and pseudotumoral hypodermic masses. Ophthalmological examination revealed conjunctival nodules. Biopsy samples for the various cutaneous lesions, salivary glands, conjunctival nodules, a hypodermic nodule and an adenopathy yielded similar images evocative of epithelioid granulomas and giant cells without caseous necrosis. Infectious causes were ruled out. Respiratory function tests showed a restrictive respiratory disorder. ACE levels were extremely high. Proteinuria was noted for 24-hour urine tests and renal punch biopsy showed an appearance of membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis. Oral corticosteroids produced clinical and laboratory improvement. Furthermore, the patient was also presenting several invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in a setting of marked helioderma.

DISCUSSION

Erythrodermic, ichthyosiform, atrophied, ulcerated and pseudotumoral forms of cutaneous sarcoidosis are very uncommon and their simultaneous appearance in the same patient is extremely rare. Further, the existence of numerous cutaneous carcinomas in this patient raises the question of an association between sarcoidosis and cancer, with fortuitous association appearing unlikely.

Granuloma annulare-like eruption associated with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous granulomatous inflammation can occur in patients with T-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. We describe the unusual microscopic pattern of a granuloma annulare (GA)-like eruption co-existing with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

METHODS

We reviewed the histopathology and immunophenotype of skin biopsies from two patients with B-CLL and cutaneous lesions resembling GA.

RESULTS

Both patients had symptomatic cutaneous lesions clinically resembling GA; one had lesions refractory to standard dermatologic therapy. Histopathology showed GA-like palisaded histiocytic infiltration, with subtle collections of lymphocytes interspersed among the granulomatous inflammation. Immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of CD20 and CD79a, with aberrant CD5 co-expression, confirming cutaneous involvement by B-CLL.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-existence of a GA-like infiltrate and cutaneous B-CLL raises the possibility that granulomatous inflammation occurs as a secondary response to dermal infiltration by leukemic cells. Because histopathologic findings can be subtle, knowledge of this association is essential to avoid overlooking the diagnosis. Regardless of whether histopathology reflects a reactive or primary phenomenon, documentation of cutaneous involvement by B-CLL may serve as a rationale for specific treatment of the underlying B-CLL in patients with skin lesions unresponsive to dermatologic therapy and for whom there is no other justification for leukemia-targeted therapy.