Leukemia cutis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting as an episodic papulovesicular eruption
Rosman, I.S.; Nunley, K.S.; Lu, D.
Dermatology Online Journal 17(9): 7
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1087-2108 PMID: 21971272 Document Number: 652150
A 53-year-old man presented with a recurrent pruritic eruption accompanied by oral sores. His past medical history was significant for subclinical B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which had never been treated. On exam, there were erythematous papules and plaques studded with vesicles on the neck, trunk, and upper extremities. Two skin biopsies showed common features of a perivascular and periadnexal lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial to mid-dermis. Immunohistochemical staining of the lymphocytes showed co-expression of CD20, CD23, CD5, and CD43, consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous involvement by the patient's CLL. This case highlights the importance of considering leukemia cutis in patients with underlying CLL presenting with unusual clinical features.