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Skin nonmelanocytic tumor

Lymphoma and related disorders (see also Lymphoma chapter)

Leukemic infiltrates of skin and cutaneous mastocytosis

Leukemia cutis

Author: Christopher S. Hale, M.D.

Last author update: 1 June 2012

Last staff update: 3 August 2022

Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed search: Leukemia [title] skin

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Cite this page: Hale CS. Leukemia cutis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skintumornonmelanocyticleukemias.html. Accessed December 4th, 2024.

Definition / general

Skin involvement ("leukemia cutis") occurs in 5% with CML, 8% with CLL, 10% with monocytic leukemia
Myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation more commonly involves the skin than other types of myeloid leukemia
Usually is abnormal peripheral blood count at diagnosis
Skin involvement is rarely initial manifestation of recurrence (Am J Clin Pathol 2008;129:130)
May also have accompanying vasculitis (Am J Clin Pathol 1997;107:637)
Aggressive behavior and short survival (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:966)

Case reports

68 year old woman with history of AML (Case of Week #140)

Treatment

Systemic chemotherapy directed at eradicating the leukemic clone

Clinical images

Contributed by Mark R. Wick, M.D.

Chronic lymphocytic type

Myeloid type

Gross description

Multiple nodules / papules

Microscopic (histologic) description

In CLL, may be perivascular, periadnexal, nodular or band-like dermal infiltrate
Infiltrate in leukemic patients is often NOT neoplastic, but reactive
AML: dermis and superficial subcutaneous fat are diffusely infiltrated by a monotonous population of large cells with a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, round to slightly irregular nuclear contours, finely dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli

Microscopic (histologic) images

Case #140