A rare presentation of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with generalized cutaneous purpuric lesions

Abstract

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive malignancy caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1. The disease is characterized by the presence of pleomorphic lymphocytes and cutaneous purpuric eruptions with skin, lymph node, visceral organs, central nervous system, and bone marrow involvement. We herein present the case of a 70-year-old man diagnosed with ATLL. The patient developed unique generalized cutaneous purpuric eruptions with systemic involvement including the gastrointestinal tract, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Despite advanced chemotherapeutic treatment, he died about 5 months later due to a rapid progressive clinical course. Therefore, generalized cutaneous purpuric eruptions could be a poorer prognostic factor in the aggressive subtype of acute ATLL.

Keywords

• adult T-cell leukemia cells
• adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
• human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1
• purpura