Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas of the lower limbs: A study of integrinexpression in 11 cases

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a rare disease. Among the cutaneous B lymphomas, B-cell lymphomas of the lower limbs appear as a special subgroup with a prognosis that is possibly worse than that of primary cutaneous B-c ell lymphomas located on the trunk, arms or head, with more frequent relaps es. In addition, some recent studies indicate that the level of expression of integrins on tumour cells could be related to the clinical course of the disease. This study reports on 14 cases of primary cutaneous B-cell lympho mas of the lower limbs and their clinical course. A study of integrin expre ssion by tumour cells was performed in 11 of these cases. With a mean follo w-up of 31 months, the study confirmed the worse prognosis of lymphomas wit h a predominance of centroblasts and immunoblasts (3 deaths) compared with lymphomas with a predominance of centrocytes, as well as their higher rate of recurrence (7/11). A correlation was confirmed between the course of the disease and the level of expression of lymphocyte function-associated anti gen-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4 by tumour cells.