γδ T-cell-rich variants of pityriasis lichenoides and lymphomatoid papulosis: benign cutaneous disorders to be distinguished from aggressive cutaneous γδ T-cell lymphomas

Abstract

The detection of a predominantly γδ T-cell phenotype in papular lymphoid-rich infiltrates in the absence of other lesions is not associated with a clinically aggressive course. γδ T-cell-rich variants of LyP and PL may reflect a spectrum of related conditions. This is a single academic centre retrospective chart review of a relatively small sample.

γδ T‐cell in cutaneous and subcutaneous lymphoid infiltrates: malignant or not?

“…8 The authors state that the case expands the spectrum of γδ T cell infiltrates in the skin, but failed to mention our published experience of similar γδ T cell variants of lymphomatoid papulosis and pityriasis lichenoides. 9 We identified 17% of pityriasis lichenoides and 37% of lymphomatoid papulosis cases with a predominant γδ T cell phenotype. These cases are mostly observed in children and are characterized by overlapping clinical and pathological features of pityriasis lichenoides and lymphomatoid papulosis with a limited duration and benign course.…”

Epidemiology of primary cutaneous γδ T‐cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma in the U.S.A. from 2006 to 2015: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐18 analysis

“…Gamma/delta TCR subunits can be expressed on other lymphomas. including mycosis fungoides (MF), although the significance of low levels of gamma/delta TCR expression is controversial . Overlap of panniculitis‐like lymphomas with lupus panniculitis, MF and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma not otherwise specified may create additional diagnostic ambiguity …”

Approach to cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates: When to consider lymphoma?

“…[ 1 18 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 ] In contrast, all forms of LyP affect younger patients and appear as waxing and waning papules/small nodules typically clustered in one or two body segments, with no risk of disease progression and an excellent prognosis. [ 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 ] Similar to LyP, PL affects young adults but tends to be disseminated to numerous body segments and display a self-limited course. [ 2 78 79 80 81 ] Established lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) are typically limited to sun-exposed skin and are easily recognizable either as atrophic scaly plaques with follicular dilation and pigmentary change (discoid LE) or annular to psoriasiform erythematous scaly plaques (subacute LE).…”