Leukemia cutis resembling a flare-up of psoriasis

Dermatol Online J. 2006 Mar 30;12(3):13.

Abstract

Leukemia cutis represents a skin infiltration by leukemic cells. Clinically it can mimic a wide variety of dermatoses. We describe the case of a 64-year-old man with psoriasis who presented with a 4-day history of erythematous, slightly scaly, asymptomatic plaques distributed on the trunk and upper-extremities, and associated asthenia, myalgias, and anorexia. A skin biopsy revealed a leukemic infiltrate. Studies of peripheral blood and bone marrow provided a diagnosis of acute monocytic leukemia. This case report shows the importance of the clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute / blood
  • Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis*
  • Skin / pathology