Cutaneous graft-versus-host-like reaction in systemic T-cell lymphoma

We report a case of systemic T-cell lymphoma with cutaneous lesions showing histological features of a cutaneous graft-versus-host-like-reaction. Hist ology from liver. lymph node and bone marrow showed a malignant T-cell infi ltrate. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies confirmed the diagnosis, A cutaneous graft-versus-host-like reaction has bees reported with dissemi nated malignancy and one case has been reported with systemic lymphoma. Gra ft-versus-host disease normally occurs when lymphocytes from an immunocompe tent donor are introduced into a histoincompatible recipient who is incapab le of rejecting them. In our patient a similar reaction map have occurred i f the lymphoma was composed of cytotoxic cells or if a cell-mediated immune response against the malignant T-cells cross-reacted with epidermal kerati nocytes. Alternatively the malignant T-cells could have been functionally a ctive and induced a lichenoid reaction in the skin.