Systemic relapses of primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSL): a LOC network study.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) classically remain confined within the CNS throughout their evolution for unknown reasons. Our objective was to analyse the rare extracerebral relapses of PCNSL in a nationwide population-based study. We retrospectively selected PCNSL patients who experienced extracerebral relapse during their follow-up from the French LOC database. Of the 1968 PCNSL included in the database from 2011, 30 (1.5%, median age 71 years, median KPS 70) presented an extracerebral relapse, either pure (n = 20) or mixed (both extracerebral and in the CNS) (n = 10), with a histological confirmation in 20 cases. The median delay between initial diagnosis and systemic relapse was 15.5 months [2-121 months]. We found visceral (n = 23, 77%), including testis in 5 (28%) men and breast in 3 (27%) women, lymph node (n = 12, 40%), and peripheral nervous system (PNS) (n = 7, 23%) involvement. Twenty-seven patients were treated with chemotherapy, either with only systemic targets (n = 7) or mixed systemic and CNS targets (n = 20), 4 were consolidated by HCT-ASCT. After systemic relapse, the median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 7 and 12 months, respectively. KPS > 70 and pure systemic relapses were significantly associated with higher OS. Extracerebral PCNSL relapses are rare, mainly extranodal, and frequently involve the testis, breast, and PNS. The prognosis was worse in mixed relapses. Early relapses raise the question of misdiagnosed occult extracerebral lymphoma at diagnostic workup that should systematically include a PET-CT. Paired tumour analysis at diagnosis/relapse would provide a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms.

[Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type, revealed by cutaneous breast involvement]. / Localisation cutanée mammaire révélatrice d'un lymphome T/NK extranodal de type nasal.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and carries a poor prognosis. Depending on the primary sites of anatomical involvement, it is subcategorized into nasal or extra-nasal ENKTL. Cutaneous involvement is the second localization reported for these lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A woman was admitted for erythematous infiltrative patches on the breasts having an ulcerative course. Cutaneous histopathology showed a dense, diffuse infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of specific markers for NK-cells and of cytotoxic molecules (TIA-1, granzyme B and perforin), lack of expression of T-cell markers (except positivity of cytoplasmic CD3 and CD2), and the presence of EBV-DNA in lymphoma cells. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed sub- and supra-diaphragmatic multi-organ involvement (kidneys, breasts, stomach, duodenum, lungs, pleural cavity, uterus, bones). No bone marrow infiltration was noted. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) showed high circulating levels of EBV-DNA in peripheral blood. A systemic nasal-type ENKTL was diagnosed. A chemotherapy regimen including high-dose methotrexate, oxaliplatin, gemcitabine, L-asparaginase and dexamethasone was started. Despite good initial therapeutic response, the outcome was rapidly fatal with bone marrow involvement and multi-organ failure. DISCUSSION: Major cutaneous manifestations of ENKTL comprise erythematous infiltrative patches mimicking panniculitis or cellulitis and evolving towards ulceration or necrosis. Subcutaneous nodules may also be noted. Late diagnosis at an advanced stage accounts for the poorer prognosis in extra-nasal ENKTL. In the advanced stages, treatment is based on a chemotherapy regimen including L-asparaginase, possibly followed by autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

[Port wine hemangioma]. / Angiome plan.

Port wine stains are mainly due to an increase in the number or size of dermal capillary vessels. They are a natural disgrace which, in their most common form (i.e. isolated and non-systematized), requires a cosmetic treatment. It is for this purpose that various therapies were formerly prescribed with inconstant results. Since the development of lasers, notably the argon laser and, most recently, the pulsed dye laser, these treatments have become obsolete. Before they fall into oblivion, it must be remembered that until the seventies radiotherapy was part of the old methods and that all cases of port wine stain now seen in adults must be followed up with particular attention if they have received radiotherapy in their childhood.