GRANULOMATOUS SLACK SKIN - REPORT OF A CASE ASSOCIATED WITH HODGKINS-DISEASE AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

We report a case of granulomatous slack skin (GSS) associated with Hod gkin's disease, and review the literature on this entity. GSS, a varia nt of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, clinically presents with erythematous patches in the flexures, which gradually transform into bulky, pendul ous areas of skin. Histology shows an elastolytic granulomatous infilt rate, with atypical lymphoid cells, and occasional epidermotropism. As far as we are aware, 10 cases of GSS, including our patient, have bee n reported in detail. The male : female ratio of these cases is 9 : 1, and the age range 15-51 years. Five cases were associated with Hodgki n's disease, one with small lymphocytic lymphoma, and one developed cu taneous T-cell lymphoma. The axillae, abdomen and groins were the most frequently affected areas. No definitive management for GSS has been established. Surgery has been performed in localized forms, and system ic treatments have included corticosteroids, dapsone, chlorambucil, ni trogen mustard, and radiotherapy. Our patient was treated with chemoth erapy for his Hodgkin's disease, and this resulted in complete remissi on of the lymphoma. Subsequent maintenance therapy with interferon-alp ha produced good control of the cutaneous lesions.