A case of CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm)

Dermatol Online J. 2010 Apr 15;16(4):8.

Abstract

CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm) involving the skin is relatively rare and has been of significant interest in the recent literature. We report here a 64-year-old male who presented with multiple purple-red nodules and plaques on his face, back, and chest. Histological examination of skin biopsies showed an intense hematolymphoid infiltration in the dermis and in the subcutaneous tissue. Stains were positive for CD4 (weak), CD56, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). These cells were negative for CD2, CD3, CD5, CD10, CD20, CD30, CD68, and T cell intracellular antigen (TIA). In situ hybridization (ISH) for Epstein-Barr virus was negative and the diagnosis was blastic NK cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with a hyper-CVAD regimen (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicine, dexamethasone, methotrexate, and cytarabine).This treatment regimen achieved partial remission but the patient died eight months after the diagnosis. The patient presented with exclusively cutaneous involvement at the beginning but progressed rapidly and died shortly after despite aggressive chemotherapy. Due to its rarity, we present here a case of CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology*
  • CD56 Antigen / immunology*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase / analysis
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD56 Antigen
  • Vincristine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase

Supplementary concepts

  • CVAD protocol