THERAPEUTIC HOTLINE: Primary cutaneous CD4 + small/medium-sized pleomorphic T cell lymphoma coexisting with myelodysplastic syndrome transforming into chronic myelomonocytic leukemia successfully treated with cyclophosphamide

Clinical features and treatment outcomes for primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder: a retrospective cohort study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and updated literature review

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PCSM-TCLPD) was reclassified in 2016 as a rare benign entity with an excellent prognosis, yet its clinical features and best treatments remain poorly defined. We collected clinical data, treatments, and treatment-responses from our institution's patients with PCSM-TCLPD through September 2018 and an identical PubMed review through June 2021. Among 36 cases (median-age 54 years; 58.3% head/neck), diagnostic biopsy resulted in sustained complete remission (CR) in 13/33 punch/shave biopsies and 3/3 excisional biopsies. The remaining 20 patients further required topical corticosteroids (n = 5); intralesional corticosteroids (n = 1); surgical-excision (n = 5); electron-beam-radiation (n = 6); or brachytherapy (n = 3). All patients ultimately achieved CR, excluding one patient continuing treatment at end-of-study. 57/59 (96.6%) of institutional and literature-reported radiation-treated patients experienced CR. No institutional cases progressed beyond skin; 5/209 (2.4%) literature-reported cases progressed to systemic/extracutaneous involvement, all pre-reclassification. PCSM-TCLPD responds well to local-directed therapy including radiation, and only rarely if ever progresses.

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small-/medium-sized T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder: A case report

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small-/medium-sized T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is usually characterized by nodules and plaques affecting the upper part of the body. The present case presented with a large, single tumor located on a lower extremity. The patient did not respond to surgical therapy but responded to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and radiotherapy.

CD4 + primary cutaneous small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective case series and review of literature

CD4 + primary cutaneous small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (CD4 + PCSM-TCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma associated with a favorable prognosis. A retrospective study of 23 patients with CD4 + PCSM-TCL as defined by World Health Organization-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) and WHO classifications was conducted. Median age was 63 years. The head and neck were the most commonly affected locations, followed by the trunk. Two patients had evidence of systemic involvement at relapse. All tumors were CD3 + and CD4+. CD5 and CD7 loss occurred in 52% and 84%, respectively. The median follow-up was 33.6 months. Eleven patients had excisional biopsy only, six had localized radiotherapy and two received excision and localized radiation. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and localized radiation were used in one patient with aggressive and invasive features. All patients had a complete remission but one developed systemic involvement. Our case series demonstrates that CD4 + PCSM-TCL is an indolent T-cell lymphoma that can be treated with local modalities and raises the question of its current classification as a lymphoma.