Histopathological aspects of cutaneous lymphoma.

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders are such a complex group of diseases that their detailed morphological features are most profitably discussed amongst specialists. However, many of the basic concepts have broad diagnostic relevance, and this article is written with the generalist predominantly in mind. As in many branches of medicine, the key to the correct diagnosis in cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases lies in interspecialty communication and clinicopathological correlation. In addition, because of the inherent difficulties and pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous lymphoma, all cases should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team. Cutaneous lymphoma is so rare that some form of centralization of expertise would appear essential. Indeed, this constitutes a strong argument for the histology of all cases of cutaneous lymphoma to be reviewed by a specialist in a Calman cancer centre and where necessary the patients to be referred and discussed by the appropriate multidisciplinary team. An exciting development has been the foundation of the multidisciplinary United Kingdom Skin Lymphoma Group. The plan is for this to link directly into the well established European Organization for the Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Cutaneous Lymphoma Group. Also, it is hoped that the multidisciplinary teams of cancer centres will link into the UK Skin Lymphoma Group, possibly through new or existing regional or subregional lymphoma groups. An important function of the UK Group will be to develop consensus guidelines and standards and to facilitate entry into national and international clinical trials; within the UK to date, there have been very few clinical trials with respect to cutaneous lymphoma.