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Aggressive cytotoxic epidermotropic cd8-positive t-cell lymphomaC84.5

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 08.01.2023

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Synonym(s)

CD8-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; CD8-positive T-cell lymphoma of the skin; Cutaneous CD8-positive aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma; Cutaneous cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma; Cytotoxic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; Cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma of the skin

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Very rare, primary T-cell lymphoma of the skin, in which the tumor cells by definition exhibit the phenotype of cytotoxic T-cell with expression of CD3 and CD8 (see below for an overview of lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cytotoxic). CD8+ CTCL is characterized by its own clinical and immunohistological characteristics and a well defined aggressive course.

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

Generalized, very rapidly spreading skin changes with red, little itchy papules, plaques and nodules, which ulcerate at a certain size. There is a tendency to early metastasis into extracutaneous organs such as lungs, testes, CNS, oral mucosa. In contrast to other cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, the lymph nodes usually remain free of tumor infiltrates.

HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Histology: Predominantly image as in mycosis fungoides or pagetoid reticulosis with band-shaped, diffuse infiltrate of small, medium or large immunoblastic pleomorphic, distinctly epidermotropic T cells. The epidermis is acanthotic with different, but mostly very dense lymphocytic infiltrates.

Immunohistology: High Ki 67 positive marker index (proliferation marker). Positive marker for CD7, CD8, CD45RA as well as TIA-1, Granzyme B, Perforin. Negative for CD2- (= pan T-cell marker).

DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Clinic with rapidly generalized cutaneous infestation. Histology with typical immunohistological pattern: positive labelling for CD7, CD8, CD45RA as well as TIA-1, Granzyme B, Perforin. Negative for CD2- (= pan T-cell marker).

Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of other provenance (see lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma below).

Mycosis fungoides: Clinically varied and variable picture (time interval from first symptoms to diagnosis: 4.2 years!). Skin symptoms develop very slowly (months to years). Systemic involvement is only detectable after a longer clinical course. Typical clinical course of lymphoma in 3 stages.

Pagetoid reticulosis "disseminated type" (Ketron and Goodman): Disseminated, reddened, rapidly growing, scaly plaques and nodules, especially in older men. Tendency to generalization.

Notice. These were probably T-cell lymphomas that must be classified as CD8+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Apparently, there is a clear resistance to conventional therapy modalities such as PUVA, interferon-alpha or classical retinoids. Even under aggressive therapies such as polychemotherapy or allogenic bone marrow transplantation, complete remissions cannot be achieved. There is a report on full remission with bexarotene as well as whole body irradiation with linear accelerator (GD 20 Gy). The survival time from the time of diagnosis is between 15 and 50 months in the cases known so far.

Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.

Bad prognosis. The mean survival time is about 32 months.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Berti E et al (2009) Primary cutaneous CD8-positive epidermotropic cytotoxic T cell lymphomas. At J cathode 155: 483-492
  2. Gormley RH et al (2010) Primary cutaneous aggressive CD8+ T cell lymphomas. Am J Acad Dermatol 62: 300-307
  3. El-Shabrawi-Caelen L et al (2000) The clinicopathologic spectrum of cytotoxic lymphomas of the skin. Sem Cutan Surg 19:118-123
  4. Santucci M et al (2003) Cytotoxic/natural killer cell cutaneous lymphomas. Report of EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force Workshop. Cancer 97: 610-627

Authors

Last updated on: 08.01.2023

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer