Leukaemia cutis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia following varicella zoster virus reactivation

Intern Med J. 2012 Dec;42(12):1355-8. doi: 10.1111/imj.12000.

Abstract

We report a case of a 75-year-old male with indolent chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) for 8 years, who presented with a 6-month history of a painful, zosteriform eruption in a T3-4 distribution that evolved into an unusual crop of papular nodules. Upon biopsy and immunostaining of these lesions CLL was proven consistent with leukaemia cutis related to varicella-zoster virus reactivation. In the absence of other treatment indices, he was commenced on chlorambucil with successful resolution of both his pain and the lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Chlorambucil / therapeutic use
  • Disease Progression
  • Herpes Zoster / complications*
  • Herpes Zoster / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Leukemic Infiltration / complications*
  • Male
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases, Viral

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Chlorambucil