Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas: 2013 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management

Abstract

Disease overview: Approximately one-fourth of cutaneous lymphomas are B-cell derived and are generally classified into three distinct subgroups: primary cutaneous follicle-center lymphoma (PCFCL), primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL), and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL, LT).

Diagnosis: Diagnosis and disease classification is based on histologic review and immunohistochemical staining of an appropriate skin biopsy. Pathologic review and an appropriate staging evaluation are necessary to distinguish primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas from systemic B-cell lymphomas with secondary skin involvement. RISK-STRATIFICATION: Disease histology remains the most important prognostic determinant. Both PCFCL and PCMZL are indolent lymphomas that infrequently disseminate to extracutaneous sites and are associated with an excellent long-term prognosis. In contrast, PCLBCL, LT is an aggressive lymphoma with an inferior prognosis.

Risk-adapted therapy: PCFCL and PCMZL patients with solitary or relatively few skin lesions may be affectively managed with local radiation therapy. Although single-agent rituximab may be employed for patients with more widespread skin involvement, multiagent chemotherapy is rarely appropriate. In contrast, management of patients with PCLBCL, LT is comparable to the management of patients with systemic DLBCL.