Mastocytosis with skin manifestations: current status

Aim To review our present knowledge about mastocyte origin, mastocytosis cl assification and management. Methods Literature review. Results Mastocytoses are chronic and recurrent disorders with symptoms whic h might either be Limited only to the skin or to internal organs as well. T he mastocytes, coming from bone marrow progenitor cells, migrate to tissues where they participate in inflammation and in cellular immunity as well as in the metabolism of connective and osseous tissues. Their proliferation c auses the appearance of mastocytoses. The classification of the clinical ma nifestations of the mastocytoses into cutaneous, reactive (under the influe nce of the degranulator factors) and systemic disease, facilitates dialog a mong clinicians. Determination of prognosis and appropriate therapeutic reg imens depend on individual features. Conclusions Mastocytosis diagnosis is verified by histological study of ski n lesion biopsy material. Management is symptomatic and unfortunately does not eradicate the disease. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.