gamma delta T-cell lymphoma of the skin: a clinical, microscopic, and molecular study.
BACKGROUND: Only a few cases of primary gamma delta cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) have been reported. We encountered 3 cases of this rare condition. OBJECTIVES: To characterize gamma delta CTCL by clinical, microscopic, and molecular methods and to investigate the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in its pathogenesis. DESIGN: Patients were evaluated by clinical examination, and biopsy specimens of lesional skin were examined by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Polymerase chain reaction amplification for T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangements and in situ hybridization for EBV were performed on 3 biopsy specimens. SETTING: National Institutes of Health, a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Individuals with a clinical and histologic diagnosis of primary gamma delta CTCL. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical, light microscopic, and immunohistochemical features, and the presence of T-cell rearrangement and EBV RNA in biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Patients exhibited multiple plaques, tumors, and/or subcutaneous nodules primarily distributed over the extremities. Individuals exhibited an aggressive clinical course with resistance to multiagent chemotherapy and radiation. Microscopic examination revealed epidermotropism in 2 cases, a dermal infiltrate in all 3 cases, and subcutaneous involvement in 1 case. Immunohistochemical studies showed the presence of CD3(+)TCR delta(+) in 3 patients, CD8(+)in 1, and CD4(+), CD20(+), CD56(+), and beta F1(+) in none. All 3 cases exhibited an activated cytotoxic T-cell phenotype positive for T-cell intracellular antigen 1, perforin, and granzyme B. A clonal T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangement was detected in all 3 cases by polymerase chain reaction. In situ hybridization was negative for EBV sequences in all 3 cases. CONCLUSION: gamma delta Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are EBV-negative lymphomas that express a mature cytotoxic phenotype and have an aggressive clinical behavior. Arch Dermatol. 2000;136:1024-1032[1]References
- gamma delta T-cell lymphoma of the skin: a clinical, microscopic, and molecular study. Toro, J.R., Beaty, M., Sorbara, L., Turner, M.L., White, J., Kingma, D.W., Raffeld, M., Jaffe, E.S. Archives of dermatology. (2000) [Pubmed]
Annotations and hyperlinks in this abstract are from individual authors of WikiGenes or automatically generated by the WikiGenes Data Mining Engine. The abstract is from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.About WikiGenesOpen Access LicencePrivacy PolicyTerms of Useapsburg