Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: The Dermatologist's Perspective

Jesse P Hirner; John T O'Malley; Nicole R LeBoeuf

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2020.01.001

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: The Dermatologist's Perspective

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2020 Jun;34(3):501-509. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.01.001. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Authors

Jesse P Hirner¹, John T O'Malley¹, Nicole R LeBoeuf²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, The Center For Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 375 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, The Center For Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 375 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: Nleboeuf@bwh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 32336415
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.01.001

Abstract

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive malignancy derived from the plasmacytoid dendritic cell that commonly involves the skin. Cutaneous involvement is often the initial presentation, with deep purple or red-brown macules, plaques, or tumors. As such, dermatologists may be the first to see these patients and, in addition to oncologists, should be familiar with its presentation to facilitate early diagnosis, helping to distinguish it from acute myelogenous leukemia cutis.

Keywords: BPDCN; Blastic natural-killer cell lymphoma; Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm; CD4(+)CD56(+) hematodermic neoplasm.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biopsy
Dendritic Cells / pathology*
Diagnosis, Differential
Disease Management
Humans
Myeloproliferative Disorders / diagnosis*
Myeloproliferative Disorders / etiology
Myeloproliferative Disorders / metabolism
Myeloproliferative Disorders / therapy
Prognosis
Skin / pathology*
Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
Symptom Assessment