Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Skin Manifestations Predict Course

ATLL severity and outcomes range from aggressive acute disease with short survival to chronic and smoldering subtypes with protracted courses.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is increasingly seen in northeastern and southeastern U.S. areas with large Caribbean migrant populations. This hematopoietic neoplasm associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can be diagnostically challenging. The presentation is diverse. Skin manifestations are reported in 39% to 57% of cases.

To characterize the clinical and histopathologic features of ATLL with skin involvement, these authors reviewed 54 cases. Skin involvement was the first manifestation in 17 patients; 8 developed lesions after ATLL diagnosis, and skin was uninvolved in 29. Sixteen of 17 patients with skin-first disease were of Caribbean descent.

HTLV-1 antibody presence in sera was examined by enzyme-linked i…

Reviewing Author

Angelica Maria Selim, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research support NIH/NCI, The Plastic Surgery Foundation

Angelica Maria Selim, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research support NIH/NCI, The Plastic Surgery Foundation

Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Skin Manifestations Predict Course

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Reviewing Author