Cutaneous monomorphous CD4-and CD56-positive large-cell lymphoma

Background: Recently, CD56 (NCAM)-positive lymphomas, such as nasal and nas al-type angiocentric NK/T cell lymphoma, aggressive NK cell leukemia/lympho ma and blastic NK cell lymphoma, were described by several authors as a uni que group of lymphoma. Objective: In this study, we intend to clarify the c linicopathological features of cutaneous CD4+ and CD56+ lymphoma. Methods: Four patients with cutaneous CD4+ and CD56+ lymphoma were studied. Results: Age at the first examination ranged from 71 to 89 years (mean = 81.2 years ). One patient was female and 3 were males. The organ mainly involved at pr esentation was the skin. Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, leukemic spread and central nervous system involvement were observed as the disease progressed . The mean survival time was 12.2 months. Epstein-Barr virus was not detect ed within the tumor cells. Conclusion: This peculiar lymphoma is different from nasal and nasal-type angiocentric NK/T cell lymphoma and aggressive NK cell leukemia/lymphoma. Similar cases have been reported as blastic NK cel l lymphoma/leukemia. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG,Basel.