Clinical and histopathological study of cutaneous lymphomas in Korea

Abstract

Background: The relative frequency and clinicopathologic characteristics of lymphomas vary according to geography and race. Data on the features of cutaneous lymphoma in Korea are limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to document the relative occurrence, the clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous lymphomas in Korea. Methods: The Korean Dermatopathology Research Group conducted a review of nationwide collection of 80 cutaneous lymphomas, diagnosed at 23 institutes over recent 3-year period. Clinical records and pathology slides of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results and Conclusion: 1. Korea has a higher rate of T-cell lymphoma and NK/T cell lymphoma and a much lower rate of cutaneous B cell lymphoma. 2. The relative frequency of the major diagnostic group according to WHO classification was as follows: mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, 42.5%; anaplastic large cell lymphoma, 19%; nasal and nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma, 15%; subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma, 11%; peripheral T cell lymphoma, unspecified, 7.5%; follicular lymphoma, 3%; marginal zone lymphoma, 1%; angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 1%. 3. Compared with Western countries, the rate of nasal and nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma were much higher. Therefore, The EORTC classification is not effective in dealing with Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma. We consider the principles of the WHO classification are applicable to the Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma.