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Leukemia Cutis in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Masquerading as Viral Exanthem
Author(s) -
Chao SheauChiou,
Lee J. YuYun,
Tsao ChaoJung
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1999.tb03459.x
Subject(s) - exanthem , leukemia cutis , medicine , leukemia , cutis , lymphoblastic leukemia , dermatology , acute lymphocytic leukemia , virology , immunology
Leukemia cutis is a specific skin lesion caused by infiltration of leukemic cells into the skin. It is uncommon in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It typically manifests as red or violaceous papules, nodules, or plaques, mainly on the face. Leukemia cutis presenting with a generalized viral exanthem‐like maculopapular eruption appears to be rare in the English literature. We report such a case. A 19 year‐old man presented with a generalized purpuric maculopapular eruption of eight day's duration. Hematologic studies showed changes of acute lymphocytic leukemia, T‐cell type. A skin biopsy specimen revealed a cuff‐like, dense, perivascular infiltration of atypial lymphocytes in the upper and mid‐dermis, consistent with leukemia cutis. The rash resolved in two weeks after chemotherapy. Our case illustrates that leukemia cutis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a generalized morbilliform viral exanthem‐like eruptions. Skin biopsy is important in estabishing the diagnosis.