Blastic NK cell lymphoma
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Agranular CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm; CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm; HDT; Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm; BPDCN;
Overview
Historical Perspective
- Blastic NK cell lymphoma was first discovered by Adachi, an American hematologist, in 1994 following an unusual presentation of cutaneous lymphoma that express CD4 and CD56 antigens but no other T cell and B cell antigens.
- In [year], [gene] mutations were first identified in the pathogenesis of [disease name].
- In [year], the first [discovery] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].
Pathophysiology
- Blastic NK cell lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. It does not appear to be associated with Epstein Barr virus.[1]
- The pathogenesis of [disease name] is characterized by [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3].
- The deletion in 5q has been associated with the development of blastic NK cell lymphoma.
- On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, fine chromatin and scanty cytoplasm resembling lymphoblasts, or in some cases, myeloblasts, and may on occasion exhibit sub-membranous cytoplasmic vacuolations surrounding the nucleus are characteristic findings of blastic NK cell lymphoma.
- Tumor cells are invariably CD4+ and CD56+, and usually HLA-DR and CD45RA are positive as well. CD2 and CD34 are usually negative; and expression of TdT, CD7 and cytoplasmic CD3 is variable.
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Hematoxylin & Eosin stain of skin lesion biopsy. Low power view of leukemic infiltrate corresponding to the raised plaque (A, black arrows) and high power view of the malignant cells in the skin infiltrate
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Large malignant-appearing cells, with agranular cytoplasm, cleaved nuclei and prominent neocleoli on peripheral blood smear using Wright stain (A) and similar blast cells present in cerebrospinal fluid
Causes
- [Disease name] may be caused by either [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].
- [Disease name] is caused by a mutation in the [gene1], [gene2], or [gene3] gene[s].
- There are no established causes for [disease name].
Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases
- [Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as:
- [Differential dx1]
- [Differential dx2]
- [Differential dx3]
Epidemiology and Demographics
- The prevalence of blastic NK cell lymphoma is unknown as it is an extremely rare disorder.[2]
Age
- Blastic NK cell lymphoma is more commonly observed amongmiddle-aged or elderly patients.
Gender
- Males are more commonly affected with blastic NK cell lymphoma than female.
Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with Blastic NK cell lymphoma have an aggressive clinical course.
- Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally poor, and the patient survives almost 1 year after the diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Cells are positive for CD4 and CD56.[3][4]
Symptoms
- Symptoms of blastic NK cell lymphoma may include the following:
- Nodules, plaques and patches of variable sizes on skin
Physical Examination
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- Nodules, plaques and patches of variable sizes on skin
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
- A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
Imaging Findings
- There are no [imaging study] findings associated with [disease name].
- [Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for [disease name].
- On [imaging study 1], [disease name] is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
- [Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
- [Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
- Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for blastic NK cell lymphoma is chemotherapy with CHOP or COP-like regimens.
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followedup every [duration]. Followup testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Chan JK, Sin VC, Wong KF; et al. (1997). "Nonnasal lymphoma expressing the natural killer cell marker CD56: a clinicopathologic study of 49 cases of an uncommon aggressive neoplasm". Blood. 89 (12): 4501–13. PMID 9192774. Unknown parameter
|month=
ignored (help) - ↑ Saeed H, Awasthi M, Al-Qaisi A, Massarweh S (2014). "Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with extensive cutaneous and central nervous system involvement". Rare Tumors. 6 (4): 5474. doi:10.4081/rt.2014.5474. PMC 4274438. PMID 25568744.
- ↑ Ng AP, Lade S, Rutherford T, McCormack C, Prince HM, Westerman DA (2006). "Primary cutaneous CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (blastic NK-cell lymphoma): a report of five cases". Haematologica. 91 (1): 143–4. PMID 16434387. Unknown parameter
|month=
ignored (help) - ↑ Kim Y, Kang MS, Kim CW, Sung R, Ko YH (2005). "CD4+CD56+ lineage negative hematopoietic neoplasm: so called blastic NK cell lymphoma". J. Korean Med. Sci. 20 (2): 319–24. PMID 15832009. Unknown parameter
|month=
ignored (help)