Clinical and Pathological Features of Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas in Nepal: A retrospective cohort study from a dermatology referral centre.

ABSTRACT

Background Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are rare diagnoses in Nepal and are not well characterized till date. Objective To evaluate clinical and pathological features of Primary cutaneous lymphomas in Nepal. Method We retrospectively reviewed outpatient and inpatient records of a dermatology referral centre of Kathmandu, Nepal for clinical and pathological findings of cases diagnosed as cutaneous lymphomas from July 2010 through July 2020. The final diagnosis was made based on 2008 World Health Organization classification and its update 2018. Result There were 12 cases of Primary cutaneous lymphomas diagnosed during this period. The age of presentation ranged from 19 years to 81 years (Mean 53.4 years ± 21.5 years, SD). There were ten cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCLs) and two cases of cutaneous B- cell lymphomas (CBCLs). Among cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, there were four cases of primary cutaneous anaplastic large- cell Lymphoma (PCALCL), two cases of classic (patch/plaque) mycosis fungoides (MF), two cases of folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF), and one case each of primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropicCD8+ T-cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis. Among cutaneous B- cell lymphomas, there was one case of primary cutaneous marginal zone B- cell lymphoma, and one case of primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma. Most cases of MF presented at stage IB (75%), and three patients of primary cutaneous lymphomas died during this period. Conclusion Primary cutaneous lymphomas appear to be very rare in this study and presentations ranged from classic Mycoses Fungoides to aggressive T-cell lymphomas. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas appeared to be more common than cutaneous B- cell lymphomas in this study.