Revista da Sociedade Portuguesa de Dermatologia e Venereologia (Jan 2024)
Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: a case report
Abstract
Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (C-ALCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, CD30 positive that does not exhibit extracutaneous manifestations at the time of diagnosis. The emergence of solitary papules or nodules, on the trunk and extremities, characterizes the disease. This case reports a 58-year-old female who presented with a rapidly enlarging nodule on her right calf. The biopsy revealed a malignant neoplasm of large cells. The morphological features, combined with the immunohistochemical profile, revealed a CD30-positive and anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative lymphoproliferative disorder, consistent with C-ALCL. Shortly after the first excision, new lesions manifested in violaceous papules and nodules, and a new biopsy was performed, confirming the initial diagnosis. The patient underwent radiotherapy for 4 weeks and the lesions regressed but recurred about a year after. The patient is currently under treatment. The main goal is to emphasize the importance of considering this diagnosis as a possibility in large-cell cutaneous lymphomas.
