Primary Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T Cell Lymphomas: A Case Series and Overview of the Literature

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphomas (PCGDTCLs) are rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancies that have been diagnostically challenging for dermopathologists and clinicians since their first published descriptions in 1991. Since then, the availability of immunostaining for T cell receptors gamma and delta in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples has greatly increased our knowledge of the gamma-delta phenotype by showing that it may also be present in the context of indolent entities, such as mycosis fungoides (MFs) and lymphomatoid papulosis, and this has raised questions concerning its diagnostic and prognostic implications. We here describe the histological and clinical differences between the dermo-epidermal and subcutaneous sub-groups of PCGDTCL observed in a cohort of 20 patients attending a single experienced centre, with particular focus on cases with an MF-like presentation, which are still less well defined than those of classic MF.

Automated summary

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphomas are rare and aggressive skin malignancies that have been diagnostically challenging since their first descriptions in 1991. Immunostaining for T cell receptors gamma and delta has increased our knowledge of the gamma-delta phenotype and raised questions about its diagnostic and prognostic implications. Clinical and histological differences between dermo-epidermal and subcutaneous sub-groups of PCGDTCL, particularly cases with MF-like presentation, are still less defined compared to classic MF.