Characteristics of cutaneous lymphomas in Osaka, Japan (1988-1999) based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification

Based on accumulating information, European investigators proposed a new cl assification for primary cutaneous lymphomas known as the European Organiza tion for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification. The clini cal utility of this classification in Japanese cases has not been evaluated . Material from 65 patients with cutaneous lymphomas (48 with primary disea se and 17 with secondary disease) who were admitted to Osaka University Hos pital during the period 1988 through 1999 was reviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in all cases. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) comp rised mycosis fungoides (15 cases), Sezary syndrome (1 case), lymphomatoid papulosis (5 cases), large cell CTCL (13 cases), pleomorphic small- or medi um-sized CTCL (2 cases), and cutaneous natural killer /T-cell lymphoma (4 c ases). B-cell lymphomas comprised 7 cases of follicle center cell lymphoma and 1 case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the leg. Each category of di sease in the EORTC scheme showed its characteristic features in our series. Five of 13 large cell CTCL cases were positive for CD30, and 5 were negati ve. The 5-year survival rate of patients with large cell CTCL CD30+ disease was 100% and that of patients with CD30-disease was 0%. (p > 0.1). Only 1 of 7 CTCL cases expressing CD30 was ALK-1+, and all 7 cases showed a favora ble clinical course. The EORTC classification is effective in dealing with Japanese cases of cutaneous lymphomas.