Primary cutaneous Ki-1(CD30) positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)
is an unusual tumor in the pediatric population. However, the nodal-based
form of the disease compared with other histologic subsets of childhood non
-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) more frequently involves skin, soft tissue, and
bone. The objective of this article is to determine the histologic and immu
nologic characteristics of childhood primary cutaneous Ki-1(CD30) positive
ALCL and its prognosis. The clinical data, histologic features and immunohi
stochemical profiles of skin biopsy specimens from 3 children with cutaneou
s Ki-1(CD30) positive lymphoma were reviewed. A literature search was perfo
rmed and disclosed information on 5 childhood cases. The 3 patients with pr
imary cutaneous Ki-1(CD30) positive ALCL all presented similarly as rapidly
growing masses initially and clinically believed to be infectious/reactive
processes. The diagnosis was established on the basis of histopathologic e
xamination and immunohistochemical studies. Histologic sections revealed an
extensive infiltrate of tumor cells extending throughout the entire dermis
into the subcutaneous fat with frank ulceration in 1 patient. No significa
nt epidermotropism was noted. Tumor cells exhibited striking cellular pleom
orphism and a high mitotic rate with numerous atypical mitoses. Inflammator
y cells were: present in all patients. The tumor cells stained positively f
or Ki-1 antigen (CD30), epithelial membrane antigen, and for T-cell markers
(UCHL-1, CD3). One of 3 cases, however, failed to stain for leukocyte comm
on antigen (LCA). No clinically apparent adenopathy was observed in any of
the patients. In all instances the patients developed recurrent disease in
the skin at sites separate from the primary location. None of the patients
demonstrated any involvement of lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ sy
stems. All patients were treated with chemotherapy with good response. Prim
ary cutaneous Ki-1(CD30) positive lymphoma is rare in children and is chara
cterized by recurrences. The prognosis seems to be favorable.