Aleukemic leukemia cutis

Synonyms

1

Overview

A rare form of leukemia where the skin is involved before the leukemic cells appear in the blood. It is usually an early sign of leukemia. It is the infiltration of neoplastic leukocytes or their precursors into the epidermis, the dermis, or the subcutis, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms of anemia, including pallor, lethargy, and dyspnea may be prominent
  • A recent history of easy bleeding and bruising is suggestive of thrombocytopenia
  • Skin nodules
  • Red skin lesions
  • Scaly skin lesions
  • Asthenia
  • Muscle pain
  • Anorexia
  • Leukemia
  • Scaly skin
  • Skin papules

Causes

Leukostasis can occur in patients with a significant amount of circulating leukemia cells. Clinical manifestations vary from CNS symptoms, respiratory distress from lung involvement, or priapism. Rare reports describe leukemic vasculitis in which leukemic cells actually infiltrate the blood vessel.

Resources

  • NIH