Cutaneous necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis with evolution to T cell lymphoma

Abstract

The evolution of unusual cutaneous vasculitis to a systemic T cell lymphoma was observed over a 12-year period. Precise classification of the skin biopsy specimens during the course of this patient's illness was difficult. Different observers suggested malignant hemangioendothelioma, malignant lymphoma, regressing atypical histiocytosis, and granulomatous vasculitis. In retrospect, the biopsy specimens likely represented the spectrum of cutaneous lymphomatoid granulomatosis. This condition is yet another example of a reactive lymphoid proliferation proceeding to a malignant lymphoma.