Cutaneous manifestations in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia involving the head, neck and distal extremities

Lu,Chongrong; Li,Li; Qiao,Qiaohua; Liu,Guozhen; Fang,Lizheng

doi:10.3892/etm.2015.2178

Cutaneous manifestations in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia involving the head, neck and distal extremities

Authors:
- Chongrong Lu
- Li Li
- Qiaohua Qiao
- Guozhen Liu
- Lizheng Fang
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Affiliations: Department of Family Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China, Family Medicine Residency Program, Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, USA
Published online on: January 13, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2178
Pages: 877-879
Copyright: © Lu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) infiltrating the skin is uncommon and can present in many different ways. The present study reports a case of CLL infiltrating multiple body areas. A 57‑year‑old male with a 10‑year history of subclinical B‑cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‑CLL) presented with skin hypertrophic changes of the ears, eyebrows, tip of the nose, toes and fingers. In addition, the patient had erythematous plaques on the buttocks. Histopathology revealed a lymphocytic infiltrate. The patient rejected the recommended chemotherapy and, following a three‑year follow‑up, remained alive with mildly aggravated symptoms. It has previously been reported that infiltrative CLL can involve the head and neck; however, involvement of multiple body areas, particularly toes and fingers is rare. This case highlights the importance of considering leukemia cutis in patients with underlying CLL who present with unusual clinical features.

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