POSTTRANSPLANT CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA

Background: Posttransplant lymphoma is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and appears to have a predilection for extranodal sites. We describe four cases of primary cutaneous posttransplant lymphoma. Objective: Our aim was to determine cell lineage and any possible association with EBV in each case of cutaneous lymphoma. Methods: Tumor tissue was examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, nonisotopic in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Results: The data were consistent with a diagnosis of EBV-associated cutaneous B-cell lymphoma in three cases and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma not associated with EBV in one case. No patient with B-cell lymphoma had extracutaneous involvement during a mean follow-up of 3.9 years. The patient with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma died of cerebral involvement 9 months after initial presentation. Conclusion: These data suggest a possible role for EBV infection in the origin of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma in immunosuppressed patients.