Prognosis of lymphomatoid papulosis

Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies for Lymphomatoid Papulosis with Particular Emphasis on the Role of the Immune System

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a very rare disease that belongs to the group of CD30+ lymphoproliferative skin diseases. LyP is localized or generalized and usually presents as isolated or clustered red/brown-red lesions in the form of nodules and/or papules. The course of the disease is in most cases mild; however, depending on concomitant risk factors and history, it may progress to lymphoma, significantly reducing the survival rate and prognosis. Importantly, the clinical picture of the disease remains somewhat ambiguous, leading to a large number of misdiagnoses that result in inappropriate treatment, which is usually insufficient to alleviate symptoms. In addition to clinical manifestations, the histological characteristics vary widely and usually overlap with other conditions, especially those belonging to the group of lymphoproliferative disorders. Although diagnosis remains a challenge, several recommendations and guidelines have been introduced to standardize and facilitate the diagnostic process. This article reviews the available literature on the most important aspects of etiopathogenesis, clinical and histopathological features, diagnostic criteria, and possible treatment strategies for LyP, with particular emphasis on the role of the immune system.

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas in childhood and adolescence

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas of T- or B- cell origin, that predominantly affect older patients but have been reported in all age groups and as early as in the first years of life. Diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas is challenging and requires high clinical suspicion and close collaboration between dermatologists, pediatric oncologists and pathologists. Skin involvement of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in children or adolescents can either be primary cutaneous or secondary due to an underlying nodal lymphoma. The most common primary cutaneous lymphomas encountered in children are of T-cell origin, with mycosis fungoides being the most prevalent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, followed by CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders. While cutaneous lymphomas share clinicopathologic characteristics between juvenile and adult forms, there are important differences in terms of clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. The hypopigmented variant of mycosis fungoides seems to be overrepresented in the pediatric age group. Prognosis and treatment of mycosis fungoides are stage dependent. The majority of children present with early-stage disease and respond well to topical corticosteroids and phototherapy.

Primär kutane T‐Zell‐Lymphome im Kindes‐ und Jugendalter

Primär kutane Lymphome sind extranodale T- oder B-Zell-Non-Hodgkin-Lymphome, die vorwiegend ältere Patienten betreffen, aber in allen Altersgruppen einschließlich der ersten Lebensjahre auftreten können. Die Diagnose kutaner Lymphome ist eine Herausforderung und erfordert einen hohen klinischen Verdacht sowie enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Dermatologen, pädiatrischen Onkologen und Pathologen. Generell müssen primär kutane Lymphome von sekundär kutanen Lymphomen, welche meist von nodalen oder extranodalen Lymphomen ausgehen, unterschieden werden. Die häufigsten primär kutanen Lymphome im Kindesalter sind T-Zell Lymphome, wobei Mycosis fungoides das häufigste kutane T-Zell-Lymphom darstellt, gefolgt von CD30+ lymphoproliferativen Erkrankungen. Während klinisch-pathologische Merkmale kutaner Lymphome bei Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen ähnlich sind, gibt es wichtige Unterschiede bezüglich klinischer Präsentation, Diagnose und Behandlung. Die hypopigmentierte Variante der Mycosis fungoides scheint in der pädiatrischen Altersgruppe überrepräsentiert zu sein. Prognose und Behandlung der Mycosis fungoides sind stadienabhängig. Die Mehrheit der Kinder weist ein frühes Krankheitsstadium auf und spricht gut auf topische Kortikosteroide und Phototherapie an.

Frequency and prognosis of associated malignancies in 504 patients with lymphomatoid papulosis

Background

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) can be associated with other haematological malignancies (HM), but reported percentages vary from 20% to over 50%.

Objective

To evaluate the frequency and prognostic significance of associated HM and non‐HM in LyP patients.

Methods

In this multicentre cohort study, the complete Dutch LyP population was included from the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry between 1985 and 2018. Clinical and histopathological information was retrieved from every individual patient.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 120 months (range, 6–585), an associated HM was observed in 78/504 (15.5%) patients. Most common associated HM were mycosis fungoides (MF; n = 31) and anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL; n = 29), while 19 patients had another HM of B‐cell (n = 14) or myeloid origin (n = 5). Even after a 25‐year follow‐up period, percentages of associated HM did not exceed 20%. Thirty‐nine of 465 patients (8.4%) without a prior or concurrent associated HM developed an associated HM during follow‐up, after a median of 68 months (range of 3–286 months). Nine of 78 patients died of associated HM, including 6/22 patients developing extracutaneous ALCL, while all patients with associated MF or skin‐limited ALCL had an excellent prognosis. Compared with the general population, LyP patients showed an increased risk (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence intervals, 2.4–3.3) for non‐HM, in particular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and intestinal/lung/bladder cancer.

Conclusions

An associated HM was reported in 15.5% of the LyP patients, particularly MF and ALCL. Although the frequency of associated HM is lower than suggested and the prognosis of most patients with associated HM is excellent, a small subgroup will develop aggressive disease, in particular extracutaneous ALCL. Furthermore, LyP patients have a higher risk of developing other malignancies. Clinicians should be aware of these risks, and LyP patients require close monitoring.

Linked article: F. Rongioletti. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: 216–217. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16157.

CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders of the Skin

Primary cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders encompass lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), and indeterminate cases. LyP is a benign disorder characterized by recurrent crops of red or violaceous papulonodules. Patients with LyP are at an increased risk of a secondary malignancy. pcALCL is characterized by a solitary red to violaceous nodule or tumor larger than 20 mm. LyP is benign, is limited to the skin, and self-resolves, with a 5-year survival rate of 100%; pcALCL is limited to the skin and responsive to directed therapies, with a 5-year survival rate of over 95%. Aggressive chemotherapeutic regimens should be avoided.

Lymphomatoid Papulosis in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a lymphoproliferative disorder that is rare among adults and even rarer among children. In adults, LyP is associated with an increased risk of secondary lymphomas.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to describe the clinical and histopathological features of LyP in children, to assess the risk of associated lymphomas, and to compare the disease to the adult form.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to June 2015. Articles were included if data were extractable from studies, case series, and single reports of pediatric LyP patients.

RESULTS

A total of 251 children and adolescents with LyP were identified, with the mean age at diagnosis being 9.3 ± 4.6 years (n = 187). The female to male ratio was 1:1.4, and the majority of children reported on were Caucasian (n = 74, 85.1 %). The predominant histologic subtype was type A (n = 106, 79.1 %). Clinically, LyP lesions presented as erythematous papules or nodules, appearing preferentially on the extremities and the trunk. LyP has to be differentiated from pityriasis lichenoides (PL) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). PL and associated lymphomas were diagnosed before, with, and after LyP in 19 and 14 cases, respectively. Of the 14 subjects with associated lymphomas, two children developed systemic ALCL.

CONCLUSION

LyP has to be differentiated from ALCL to avoid erroneous treatments. Due to the increased risk of development of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, lifelong follow-up and proper patient counseling are warranted.

Frequency and Risk Factors for Associated Lymphomas in Patients With Lymphomatoid Papulosis

BACKGROUND

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is classified as an indolent cutaneous lymphoma, but outcome dramatically worsens if LyP is associated with lymphoma. The frequency of this association remains unclear in the literature. Here, we assess the frequency and risk factors of association between LyP and another lymphoma in an 11-year retrospective study conducted in 8 dermatology departments belonging to the French Study Group on Cutaneous Lymphoma (FSGCL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with LyP were identified and data extracted from the FSGCL registry between 1991 and 2006. Patients were followed up to January 2014. Age, sex, number of skin lesions, histologic subtype, and genotype were recorded at baseline. Risk factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analysis. Cumulative probability of association was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

We observed 52 cases of lymphomas (cutaneous, n = 38; systemic, n = 14) in 44 of 106 patients (41%). Lymphoma diagnosis was concomitant with or prior to LyP diagnosis in 31 cases and occurred during the course of LyP in 21 cases (cutaneous, n = 14; systemic, n = 7; median delay: 5 years; interquartile range: 1.5-7 years). In multivariate analysis, main prognostic factors for association between LyP and another lymphoma were older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.08; p = .011) and presence of a T-cell clone in LyP lesions (OR: 7.55; 95% CI: 2.18-26.18; p = .001).

CONCLUSION

Older age and presence of a T-cell clone in LyP lesions are risk factors for associated lymphomas in patients with LyP. These findings should help to identify patients who require close management in clinical practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The management of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is that of an indolent cutaneous lymphoma, based on its excellent prognosis. However, this good prognosis is altered if LyP is associated with lymphoma. Furthermore, risk factors for and frequency of this association remain unclear in the literature. The results presented here demonstrate a high rate of association between LyP and other lymphomas (41%) as well as a long median delay of occurrence (5 years), which emphasizes the need for prolonged follow-up of patients with LyP. Moreover, two main risk factors (i.e., older age and presence of a T-cell clone in LyP lesions) are highlighted, which should help clinical practitioners to identify patients who require close management.

Association of clinicopathological characteristics with secondary neoplastic lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with lymphomatoid papulosis

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) refers to an indolent cutaneous lymphoma. The association of prognostic clinicopathological risk factors with a second hematologic malignancy has not yet been determined. We investigated the prognostic effect of clinicopathological characteristics on the occurrence of a second lymphoma, as well as the first-line treatment, in 24 patients diagnosed with LyP using logistic regression models. We showed that lymphoma occurrence was associated with a lower mean age at onset of LyP symptoms, histological types B and C, head-located LyP lesions and a higher frequency of LyP recurrences. In multivariate analyses, histologic type A was associated with a lower risk of second lymphoma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.014-0.98; p = 0.045) adjusting for age of LyP first symptomatology, and an important increased lymphoma-free survival rate (long-rank test; p = 0.06). Clinicopathological characteristics are important in defining the clearance or persistence of LyP lesions and may predict the occurrence of a second lymphoma.

High soluble CD30, CD25, and IL-6 may identify patients with worse survival in CD30+ cutaneous lymphomas and early mycosis fungoides

Histopathology alone cannot predict outcome of patients with CD30+ primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30CLPD) and early mycosis fungoides (MF). To test the hypothesis that serum cytokines/cytokine receptors provide prognostic information in these disorders, we measured soluble CD30 (sCD30), sCD25, and selected cytokines in cell cultures and sera of 116 patients with CD30CLPD and 96 patients with early MF followed up to 20 years. Significant positive correlation was found between sCD30 levels and sCD25, CD40L, IL-6, and IL-8, suggesting CD30+ neoplastic cells secrete these cytokines, but not Th2 cytokines. In vitro studies confirmed sCD30, sCD25, IL-6 and IL-8 are secreted by CD30CLPD-derived cell lines. CD30CLPD patients with above normal sCD30 and sCD25 had worse overall and disease-related survivals, but only sCD30 retained significance in Cox models that included advanced age. High sCD30 also identified patients with worse survival in early MF. Increased IL-6 and IL-8 correlated with poor disease-related survival in CD30CLPD patients, We conclude that: (1) neoplastic cells of some CD30CLPD patients do not resemble Th2 cells, (2) high serum sCD30, sCD25, IL-6, and perhaps IL-8 levels may provide prognostic information useful for patient management.

High soluble CD30, CD25, and IL-6 may identify patients with worse survival in CD30+ cutaneous lymphomas and early mycosis fungoides

Histopathology alone cannot predict the outcome of patients with CD30+ primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30CLPD) and early mycosis fungoides (MF). To test the hypothesis that serum cytokines/cytokine receptors provide prognostic information in these disorders, we measured soluble CD30 (sCD30), sCD25, and selected cytokines in cell cultures and sera of 116 patients with CD30CLPD and 96 patients with early MF followed up to 20 years. Significant positive correlation was found between sCD30 levels and sCD25, CD40L, IL-6, and IL-8, suggesting that CD30+ neoplastic cells secrete these cytokines, but not Th2 cytokines. In vitro studies confirmed that sCD30, sCD25, IL-6, and IL-8 are secreted by CD30CLPD-derived cell lines. CD30CLPD patients with above normal sCD30 and sCD25 levels had worse overall and disease-related survivals, but only sCD30 retained significance in Cox models that included advanced age. High sCD30 also identified patients with worse survival in early MF. Increased IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated with poor disease-related survival in CD30CLPD patients. We conclude that (1) neoplastic cells of some CD30CLPD patients do not resemble Th2 cells, and that (2) high serum sCD30, sCD25, IL-6, and perhaps IL-8 levels may provide prognostic information useful for patient management.