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Merkel cell carcinoma with partial B-cell blastic immunophenotype: a potential mimic of cutaneous richter transformation in a patient with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Papalas, JA; McKinney, MS; Kulbacki, E; Dave, SS; Wang, E
Published in: Am J Dermatopathol
February 2014

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a DNA virus whose pathogenic mechanisms in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are still being unraveled. Emerging reports of an association between MCPyV and chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) have begun to broaden our understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms of this virus and the known association between these 2 malignancies. Herein, we report a case of MCC demonstrating a B-cell immunophenotype arising in a patient with CLL being treated with rituximab. In this context, we discuss the differential diagnostic considerations, especially with cutaneous Richter transformation (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). We also assessed for the presence of MCPyV in both the patient's MCC and the CLL. Finally, we provide a large meta-analysis of patients with CLL and MCC. Patients with both MCC and CLL have a dismal prognosis, with greater than 50% overall mortality within the first year and a half after MCC diagnosis.

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Published In

Am J Dermatopathol

DOI

EISSN

1533-0311

Publication Date

February 2014

Volume

36

Issue

2

Start / End Page

148 / 152

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vidarabine
  • Tumor Virus Infections
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Rituximab
  • Polyomavirus Infections
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus
  • Male
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell
  • Immunophenotyping
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Papalas, J. A., McKinney, M. S., Kulbacki, E., Dave, S. S., & Wang, E. (2014). Merkel cell carcinoma with partial B-cell blastic immunophenotype: a potential mimic of cutaneous richter transformation in a patient with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma. Am J Dermatopathol, 36(2), 148–152. https://doi.org/10.1097/DAD.0b013e31829ed784
Papalas, John A., Matthew S. McKinney, Evan Kulbacki, Sandeep S. Dave, and Endi Wang. “Merkel cell carcinoma with partial B-cell blastic immunophenotype: a potential mimic of cutaneous richter transformation in a patient with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma.Am J Dermatopathol 36, no. 2 (February 2014): 148–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/DAD.0b013e31829ed784.
Papalas, John A., et al. “Merkel cell carcinoma with partial B-cell blastic immunophenotype: a potential mimic of cutaneous richter transformation in a patient with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma.Am J Dermatopathol, vol. 36, no. 2, Feb. 2014, pp. 148–52. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e31829ed784.

Published In

Am J Dermatopathol

DOI

EISSN

1533-0311

Publication Date

February 2014

Volume

36

Issue

2

Start / End Page

148 / 152

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vidarabine
  • Tumor Virus Infections
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Rituximab
  • Polyomavirus Infections
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus
  • Male
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell
  • Immunophenotyping