Clinical and pathologic cutaneous manifestations of malignant histiocytosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Clinical and pathologic changes in the skin of 5 patients with malignant histiocytosis were studied. Clinical signs included papules, nodules, noduloulcers and purpura. Histopathologic changes included exocytosis of inflammatory cells, infiltration of the papillary and reticular dermis with neoplastic histiocytes and periadnexal and perivascular infiltrates. Phagocytosis of RBC [red blood cells] and nuclear debris by atypical histiocytes was seen in 2 cases. In 1 case the skin lesions were the only inital manifestation of the disease. Skin involvement occurs in .apprx. 10-15% of all cases of malignant histiocytosis. Malignant histiocytosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with such skin lesions, especially when clinical symptoms may be suggestive of this disease.