Cutaneous Plasmacytosis

Abstract

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder that typically affects middle-aged to older individuals of Asian, particularly Japanese, descent. Clinically, it is characterized by multiple asymptomatic red-brown plaques and nodules on the trunk. Lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia may be present. Histologically, the lesions show a moderately dense superficial and deep perivascular infiltrate composed predominantly of mature plasma cells without atypia or light chain restriction. We report our experience with five additional cases, including results of immunohistochemical studies for human herpes virus 8.

A Rare Case of Cutaneous Plasmacytosis in a Korean Male

“…Previous investigations have not been able to discern whether plasmacytosis is in fact a reactive or neoplastic process. One hypothesis is that plasmacytosis is a variant of Castleman's disease, and in fact both entities often exhibit elevated interleukin-6 levels (as did our case patient), although HHV-8 is reported to be negative in plasmacytosis patients [ 19 , 20 ]. Other hypotheses center around genetic factors, environmental influence, and infectious triggers [ 3 ].…”

Cutaneous plasmacytosis resembling pityriasis rosea in a 66-year-old white woman: A rare disease presenting in an unusual patient demographic

“…Because of the similarities, it was hypothesized that HHV-8 may also play a role in cutaneous plasmacytosis; however, most patients, including ours with histopathologically proven cutaneous plasmacytosis, are HHV-8 negative. 11 …”

A case of cutaneous plasmacytosis

“…Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare benign mature plasma cell proliferation disorder, commonly occurring in middle-aged and elderly individuals in Asian populations, particularly in Japan (2,3). The male to female incidence ratio is 1:0.6, age of incidence is between 20 and 62 years old and median incidence age is 37 years old.…”