Background Cutaneous mastocytosis is considered a relatively benign and ind
olent form of mast cell disease, which either ultimately regresses, remains
stable or is only slowly progressive. Previously, it has been purported th
at no more than 60% of adult patients with cutaneous mastocytosis will have
occult bone marrow involvement.
Objectives To investigate the frequency of bone marrow involvement in patie
nts with mastocytosis but without systemic symptoms.
Methods Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy were performed in 13 conse
cutive patients with cutaneous mastocytosis attending our department.
Results All but one of these patients had evidence of bone marrow involveme
nt. Bone marrow cytogenetic abnormalities have been found in patients with
cutaneous mastocytosis: all our patients who were analysed showed a normal
karyotype.
Conclusions Bone marrow involvement is common in adults with cutaneous mast
ocytosis.