Lymphomatoid Papulosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Definition:
It is a non-cancerous skin disorder that can progress into Hodgkin's Disease or forms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is a stubborn persistent rash that usually occurs on the chest, stomach, back, arms and legs. This condition is slightly more common in women. It is characterized by an infiltration of large atypical cells surrounded by inflammatory cells. The atypical cells resemble Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease or the malignant cells of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
It is defined as an atypical lymphoproliferative process and usually has a benign course. Skin lesions come and go.
Causes of Lymphomatoid Papulosis:
The cause of lymphomatoid papulosis is not known.
Symptoms of Lymphomatoid Papulosis:
The possible symptoms for lymphomatoid papulosis are :-
- There may be appetite loss
- Fatigueness may be associated with this disease.
- Fever and Anemia problem may also present.
- Flu-like symptoms - aches, fever, chills are also present,
- Infections associated with low white count
- Drenching night sweats
- Pain :depending on the anatomic location that is secondary to pressure to bone or organs, or obstruction of bodily functions
- Skin - Itchy skin (purititis), red patches
- Swollen and painless lymph nodes
- Swollen spleen or liver
- Weight loss also occur in this disease.
Treatments of Lymphomatoid Papulosis:
There is no cure for lymphomatoid papulosis. It often lasts for years, over which time patients need to regularly see their doctor to pick up any changes that may signal early lymphoma. The following treatments are currently being used to hasten healing of lesions and/or suppress the disease.
- Lymphomatoid papulosis is a recurrent condition and is by definition self healing. In most cases no treatment is required
- CD30 + cutaneous lymphoma has an excellent prognosis when treated by excision and local radiotherapy.
- Cortisone ointments will sometimes help.
- Ultraviolet light treatment may help in controlling lymphomatoid papulosis.
- Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat lymphomatoid papulosis.
- Oral psoralen plus UV-A phototherapy (PUVA) also effectively treats and suppresses the disease.
- Topical steroid creams can also be used.
Consultations:
- Dermatologist: Consultation is recommended for evaluating clinical findings and obtaining skin biopsies of appropriate lesions. Ideally, consult a dermatologist with experience in the management of cutaneous lymphomas.
- Dermatopathologist: Consultation is recommended for histologic evaluation of skin biopsies, with occasional consultation by a hematopathologist for patients with borderline biopsies.
|