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ABSTRACT: Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) of the leg is an uncommon subset of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma that has been described in a series of European patients.
Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical manifestation, diagnostic histopathology, immunophenotype, clinical course, and response to treatment of LBCL of the leg.
We conducted a retrospective case series of 3 patients with primary LBCL of the leg.
The 3 elderly patients presented with progressive erythematous nodules on bilateral or unilateral lower extremities. All 3 patients had pre-existing peripheral edema or peripheral vascular disease. Histopathologic examination of the nodules showed dense lymphocytic infiltrates composed predominantly of large dysplastic lymphocytes that marked as B cells (CD20(+)). In 2 cases, the neoplastic cells were BCL-2 positive. All patients responded to initial therapy with localized electron beam radiation and chemotherapy but had disease progression. One patient had a complete and durable second response to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab).
The patients described have similar clinical and histopathologic features to those previously described. There may be an association between LBCL and pre-existing lower-extremity vascular disease. Treatment of LBCL is difficult, but 1 patient responded well to systemic anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 09/2003; 49(2):223-8. · 3.99 Impact Factor
