CD30⁺ Lymphoproliferative Disease: The Mysterious Case of the Leg

At the most malignant end of the spectrum of CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders is anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, which can be primarily cutaneous (pcALCL) or systemic. Prognostic factors for pcALCL were the focus of a retrospective study.

Researchers reviewed 48 pcALCL cases from one tertiary care center. More than half of the patients presented with solitary lesions, but four had extensive leg disease (ELD). ELD patients were relatively older (median age, 73 vs. 48). Overall, the rates of complete clinical response and relapse after initial therapy were 74% and 46%, respectively. Local therapy consisted of excision or radiation, alone or combined, and systemic therapy consisted of chemotherapy, alone or combined with local therapy. In mo…