Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: A report of 9 cases

Abstract

Background: Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a heterogeneous group among which marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL) appears to be the most common subtype. Objective: We analyze clinical presentation, histologic aspects, and outcome of patients with primary cutaneous MZL. Methods: All samples classified as primary cutaneous lymphoma over the past 10 years were reviewed, and cases of primary MZL were identified. Results: Nine cases of MZL were analyzed, all from the upper body region, with a predominance in elderly women. Histologic aspects included a dense, nodular, deep-seated infiltrate containing various proportions of small cells displaying a centrocyte-like, plasmacytoid or monocytoid appearance. Surface expression of CD5, CD10, and CD23 was negative. Long survival was noted but relapses in the skin, nodes, orbit, salivary glands, and breast were observed. Conclusion: MZL is the predominant primary cutaneous lymphoma of our study. It has distinctive histologic and clinical features as well as outcome. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:181-8.)