Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of T-cell receptor-gamma gene
rearrangement was used for molecular staging in a case of primary cutaneou
s T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with fatal evolution, Although initial evaluation
was negative for systemic involvement, the patient died due to heart failur
e, Autopsy findings revealed lymphomatous myocardial infiltration, but othe
r tissues and organs examined, including lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung a
nd bone marrow, appeared to be free of disease, Molecular analysis from fro
zen samples obtained during the initial evaluation, as well as paraffin-emb
edded material obtained during autopsy, revealed the presence of clonal rea
rranged bands in all tissues examined except the bone marrow. Subsequent hy
bridization of PCR products with a tumour-specific oligoprobe confirmed the
PCR results, suggesting widespread dissemination of the lymphomatous proce
ss. The use of molecular analysis can add significant information about the
extent of disease in patients with CTCL and may be helpful in the establis
hment of therapeutic options.