Introduction Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma of the skin that often begins as limited

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Journal of Cutaneous PathologyIntraepidermal epidermotropic metastatic melanoma: a clinical and histopathological mimicker of melanoma in situ occurring in multiplicityThe distinction between primary melanoma and melanoma metastatic to the skin has major prognostic implications. We report a case of a 67-year-old male with a diagnosis of a superficial spreading melanoma (stage IB) rendered 6 years earlier who presented clinically with an atypical nevus on his left thigh. Histopathological examination showed an intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation that was interpreted as melanoma in situ. Subsequently, 45 additional pigmented macules appeared in crops over a 9-month period. Clinically and dermoscopically, these lesions were extremely polymorphic. Histopathological findings were compatible with melanoma in situ, as each lesion consisted of a wholly intraepidermal proliferation of markedly atypical melanocytes arranged singly and in nests. A complete gastrointestinal study showed multiple pigmented metastatic lesions throughout the stomach and small bowel, which supported a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma with gastrointestinal and epidermotropic skin involvement. Monosomy of chromosome 9 and a BRAF V600E mutation were detected in the primary tumor sample and in macro-dissected secondary lesions. No CDKN2A or CDK4 germline mutations were found. Intraepidermal epidermotropic metastases of melanoma have been rarely described in literature. In this case, histopathology alone was insufficient to distinguish metastatic melanoma from multiple in situ melanomas. The recognition of epidermotropic metastases should be based on the correlation between clinical, dermoscopic, histopathological and molecular findings.

A 45-year-old woman with a history of renal carcinoma was observed for facial, cervical and truncal flesh-colored papules. Relatives had similar skin findings and a brother had repeated episodes of pneumothorax. The computerized tomography scan revealed multiple cysts on both lungs. A skin biopsy revealed a perifollicular fibroma. The clinical diagnosis of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) was corroborated by identification of a novel frameshift c.573delGAinsT (p.G191fsX31) mutation in heterozygosity on exon 6 of the folliculin gene. The presence of multiple and typical benign hair follicle tumors highlights the role of the dermatologist in the diagnosis of this rare genodermatosis that is associated with an increased risk of renal cell cancer and pulmonary cysts, warranting personal and familial follow-up and counseling.

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Borderline CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder: report of a case with expression of cytotoxic markers and response to clarithromycin CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPDs) are usually characterized by a benign clinical course. The prognostic value of cytotoxic markers in these lymphomas has not been evaluated in large series. We describe a case of borderline CD30+ CLPD with cytotoxic phenotype, presenting in a 22-year-old male patient as an ulcer on the forearm. He reported having had similar ulcers on the buttock and thigh that spontaneously regressed over the course of 1 year. The lesion resolved with a single course of clarithromycin; a subsequent lesion, too, responded to clarithromycin, and no recurrences or systemic involvement have been documented in the 9-month follow-up. A conservative approach in the management of CD30+ CLPD is recommended. We believe that the anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effects of clarithromycin on T cells may have hastened the remission process.Ponte P, Serrão V, Viana I, Vale E, João A, Cerroni L. Borderline CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder: report of a case with expression of cytotoxic markers and response to clarithromycin.

Introdução: Nos últimos anos, a terapêutica biológica expandiu de forma expressiva as opções terapêuticas disponíveis em Dermatologia. Ainda que o seu uso esteja apenas aprovado no tratamento da psoríase e psoríase atropática, a utilização off-label em diversas dermatoses inflamatórias tem sido descrita de forma crescente na literatura.Métodos: Efectuou-se um estudo retrospectivo dos doentes com dermatoses (que não a psoríase) tratados com terapêutica biológica entre Janeiro de 2005 e Dezembro de 2009, no nosso Serviço. Foram analisados os dados clínicos, as terapêuticas efectuadas, a eficácia e o perfil de segurança.Resultados: Foram incluídos 15 doentes e tratadas 7 diferentes patologias dermatológicas resistentes às terapêuticas convencionais. O etanercept foi utilizado em 4 casos: 3 doentes com Esclerodermia sistémica (2 doentes interromperam a terapêutica antes das 12 semanas por efeitos adversos graves; no 3º doente verificaram-se bons resultados) e um doente com granuloma elastolítico, no qual se registou uma boa resposta clínica. O infliximab foi utilizado com sucesso em 4 doentes (3 casos de doença de Behçet e 1 de pitiríase rubra pilar). O adalimumab foi utilizado num caso de dermatose pustulosa subcórnea com excelentes resultados. O efalizumab foi ineficaz em 2 casos de dermite atópica. O rituximab foi utilizado em 5 doentes: 3 casos de pênfigo (com excelentes resultados terapêuticos) e 2 casos de dermite atópica (numa doente houve uma boa resposta, mas interrompeu a terapêutica após 1 semana de tratamento por gravidez e na 2ª doente não se observou qualquer melhoria significativa).Conclusão: A terapêutica biológica tem demonstrado eficácia no tratamento de várias dermatoses; no entanto a maioria da informação disponível na literatura é referente a casos isolados ou a pequenas séries de casos. Apesar da nossa experiência ser limitada, estes resultados parecem-nos promissores na terapêutica de determinadas dermatoses inflamatórias refractárias aos tratamentos convencionais.

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