Dessart P, Lemaire P, Le Dû K, Sandrini J, Prophette B, Maillard H. [T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: potential diagnostic pitfalls].
Ann Dermatol Venereol 2014;
141:777-81. [PMID:
25433931 DOI:
10.1016/j.annder.2014.09.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Sezary syndrome (SS) presents clinically as erythroderma, which may be pigmented, and pruritic, associated with peripheral lymphadenopathies. Erythroderma may also occur in a broad range of reactive and malignant conditions including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL). We report a case initially diagnosed as SS but ultimately diagnosed as T-PLL based upon skin involvement.
CASE REPORT
A 70-year-old man was referred by his hematologist for management of SS. Physical examination revealed lymphadenopathies and mild diffuse erythema without infiltration. His WBC count was elevated at 8.3 G/L. A peripheral blood smear showed Sezary-like cells. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood revealed prolymphocytic T-cells staining positively for CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD7. Cytogenetic studies showed chromosomal abnormalities in terms of number and structure with missing chromosomes 6 and13, as well as deletion of chromosome 17. Finally, a diagnosis of T-PLL was made. Pentostatin was initiated pending treatment with alemtuzumab, but the patient's overall condition deteriorated rapidly and he died 10 days later.
DISCUSSION
Diagnosis of LPLT is based upon a number of factors. In the case presented herein, the clinically atypical nature of the skin lesions prompted the dermatologist to review the diagnosis. The morphology of the circulating T-lymphocytes and their immunologic and phenotypic characteristics finally ruled out the diagnosis of Sezary syndrome, while their association with compatible cytogenetic anomalies enabled a diagnosis of prolymphocytic leukemia to be made instead.
CONCLUSION
Prolymphocytic leukemia involves complex differential diagnosis with regard to Sezary syndrome, posing potential pitfalls for hematologists and dermatologists.
Collapse