POSTTRANSPLANT CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA

Background: Posttransplant lymphoma is closely associated with Epstein -Barr virus (EBV) infection and appears to have a predilection for ext ranodal sites. We describe four cases of primary cutaneous posttranspl ant lymphoma. Objective: Our aim was to determine cell lineage and any possible association with EBV in each case of cutaneous lymphoma. Met hods: Tumor tissue was examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemis try, nonisotopic in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Results: The data were consistent with a diagnosis of EBV-associated c utaneous B-cell lymphoma in three cases and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma not associated with EBV in one case. No patient with B-cell lymphoma h ad extracutaneous involvement during a mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Th e patient with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma died of cerebral involvement 9 months after initial presentation. Conclusion: These data suggest a possible role for EBV infection in the origin of cutaneous B-cell lymp homa in immunosuppressed patients.