Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma of the scalp: A case report and brief review of the literature

Ahmed,Ronak S.; Karim,Dana O.; Omar,Sami S.; Homar,Sharaza Q.; Ali,Rawa M.; Nasralla,Hawkar A.; Najar,Kayhan A.; Siddiq,Shvan O.; Abdalla,Sarhang S.; Kakamad,Fahmi H.

doi:10.3892/wasj.2026.445

March-April 2026 Volume 8 Issue 2

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March-April 2026 Volume 8 Issue 2

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Case Report Open Access

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma of the scalp: A case report and brief review of the literature

Authors:
- Ronak S. Ahmed
- Dana O. Karim
- Sami S. Omar
- Sharaza Q. Homar
- Rawa M. Ali
- Hawkar A. Nasralla
- Kayhan A. Najar
- Shvan O. Siddiq
- Sarhang S. Abdalla
- Fahmi H. Kakamad
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaymaniyah 46001, Iraq, Department of Oncology, Rizgary Oncology Center, Erbil 44001, Iraq

Copyright: © Ahmed et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].
Article Number: 30
|
Published online on: February 19, 2026

https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.445
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Abstract

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are a heterogeneous group of extranodal lymphoid neoplasms confined to the skin at diagnosis. Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PCDLBCL‑NOS), is a rare and aggressive subtype, and the involvement of the scalp is exceptionally uncommon. The present study describes the case of a 45‑year‑old female patient with PCDLBCL‑NOS presenting with atypical alopecic scalp lesions. The patient presented with a 4‑month history of localized scalp hair loss associated with mild erythema and pruritus, without systemic symptoms. A histopathological examination of a punch biopsy revealed a dense dermal and perifollicular infiltrate of atypical large lymphoid cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positivity for CD20, CD10, CD79a and BCL‑2, with negativity for CD3 and MUM1. Comprehensive imaging revealed no extracutaneous disease, and a diagnosis of stage IA(E) PCDLBCL‑NOS was established. The patient was treated with six cycles of R‑CHOP chemotherapy, achieving complete clinical and radiological remission at the 6‑month follow‑up. Subsequently, the patient developed pancytopenia and was diagnosed with B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite the initiation of HYPER‑CVAD chemotherapy, her course was complicated by severe neutropenic sepsis; thus, the patient succumbed. In addition, a review of the literature identified only five previously reported cases of scalp PCDLBCL, all occurring in male patients. The case described herein highlights an unusual clinical presentation, underscores the importance of considering lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of atypical alopecic scalp lesions, and illustrates both the potential for initial therapeutic response and the risk of severe hematologic complications.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma of the scalp: A case report and brief review of the literature

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