Primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma

Abstract

The exact classification of primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphomas (FCCLs) has been the subject of ongoing debate. In the classification of cutaneous lymphomas proposed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group, cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma (FCCL) is defined as a proliferation of centrocytes and centroblasts showing a diffuse pattern of growth in the great majority of cases, and presenting only rarely a true follicular pattern. CD10 and Bcl-2 are usually not expressed by neoplastic cells, and the t(14:18) is absent. By contrast, nodal follicular lymphoma is a tumor with a follicular pattern, characterized by the proliferation of CD10+, Bcl-2+ follicular cells, and by the presence of the t(14;18) in most cases. In this review we outline the clinicopathologic, phenotypic, and molecular features of primary cutaneous FCCL, reviewing criteria for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this peculiar variant of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.