Cutaneous lesions as the first manifestation of systemic follicular lymphoma in an HIV patient

Dermatol Online J. 2008 Jul 15;14(7):17.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients have an increased incidence of lymphomas, particularly when there is a significant immunosuppression. Most commonly, they are non-Hodgkin B cell type with a high or intermediate grade and have an extranodal presentation. We report the case of a 38-year-old man with HIV infection who presented with a 1-year history of a painless tumor on the back and lymphadenopathies. The diagnosis of B cell lymphoma follicle center cell type was established by skin biopsy. Staging included a bone marrow biopsy revealing infiltration by the lymphoma and a whole-body computed tomographic scan showing multiple cervical and axillary lymphadenopathies with necrotic center. Biopsy of an axillary lymph node revealed caseating epithelioid granulomas and Ziehl-Neelson staining was positive for acid-fast bacilli. The patient started therapy for tuberculosis and polychemotherapy for lymphoma with complete response. This report illustrates a case of simultaneous occurrence of tuberculosis and systemic follicular lymphoma presenting in skin in an HIV patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphatic Diseases / pathology
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Male
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / pathology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents