DEEP MORPHEA-LIKE LESIONS - FIRST MANIFES TATIONS OF A LYMPHOCYTIC LYMPHOMA

Introduction. The association between scleroderma and lymphoma is unco mmon and can sometimes query an fortuitous association. More particula r are observations where chronological and histological features show an evident link between a tumorous process and sclerosis. Observation. This case concerns a man 69 years old who was treated for one year fo r partial subcutaneous sclerosis present on his legs, thighs, fore-arm s, and on the upper part of the trunk. No signs were present of viscer al involvement evoking a systemic scleroderma and histology showed an intrication of a deep sclerosis, fasciitis and a tumoral lymphoma proc ess. Diagnosis of lymphocytic lymphoma was confirmed. Initiating a che motherapy (CHOP) allowed for a reduction of the sclerosis which didn't respond to the only corticotherapy. Discussion. This observation can be linked to the association of fasciitis and lymphoma identified by N aschitz et al. but is different by: 1) the clinical aspect wich corres pond more to deep morphea lesions; 2) the histological link between sc lerosis and lymphoma. This last point suggest that it is the tumoral p opulation which have induced the sclerosis process linked to the secre tion of pro-inflammatory factors. In adverse cases with longer delay b etween lymphoma and scleroderma this association may be fortuitous.