A Primary Cutaneous Non-T, Non-B CD4+, CD56+ Lymphoma

Background: Cutaneous lymphomas are heterogeneous clonal lymphoproliferative disorders originating from B or T lymphocytes. Observation: We describe a patient with a unique primary cutaneous lymphoma characterized by a bruiselike aspect of the skin lesions, a CD4+, CD43+, CD56+, CD2-, CD3-, CD8-, T-cell receptor-negative phenotype of the medium-sized to large lymphoid tumor cells and an undetermined genotype (T-cell receptor β and immunoglobulin heavy chain in germline configuration, no clonal T-cell receptor γ population as detected after analysis with polymerase chain reaction combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) and fast relapse after radiotherapy. Conclusions: This non-B, non-T cutaneous lymphoma cannot be classified by any current lymphoma classification. It seems to represent a new disease entity with peculiar clinical, histologic, and molecular features. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:550-553)