Abstract
CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm, formerly called “blastic NK cell lymphoma”, is an aggressive lymphoma which often begins with cutaneous nodules in the elderly. The tumor cells have a CD4+, CD56+, CD3- phenotype, and recent studies suggest they derive from a plasmacytoid dendritic cell. A 72-year-old man was referred to us because of an eight-month history of a nodule on his right cheek. The biopsy specimen showed the infiltration of immature lymphoid cells in the entire dermis with a phonotype of CD4+, CD56+, CD 123+ and CD3- phenotype. Epstein-Barr virus infection was denied. We diagnosed the patient as having CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm, and treated him with CHOP therapy. Skin lesions were once cleared up, but similar lesions soon recurred. Although, we added irradiation for the lesions present, new lesions occurred on the unirradiated region. Then, we treated him with whole-body irradiation, which cleared all of the skin lesions, but he died 2 months after discharge, probably due to the progressive internal lymphoma. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2006; 21: 125-131]
