Issue 7/2023
Kantarjiev, V., Vuteva, Ts., Broschilova, V.
Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Academy – Sofia
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare myeloid malignancy with high incidence of skin involvement. It may present with or without extramedullary organ involvement before leukemic dissemination. Owing to its extremely rarity and poor overall outcomes, there is no clear standard of care for BPDCN. As a result of its clinical ambiguity, differentiating BPDCN from benign skin lesions or those of acute myeloid leukemia with leukemia cutis is extremely challenging.
We present a 51-year-old man who was suffering from weakness, fatigue, dryness and sore throat, skin changes, as well as evidence of a Covid-19 infection, treated with symptomatic means about 2 months before his admission to our clinic. Based on clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, and histological examination of skin and bone marrow biopsy, immunohistochemistry of biopsy material, as well as blood flow cytometry, a diagnosis of BPDCN was made. The patient was put on HYPER-CVAD therapy, which resulted in rapid positive results. This study presents the clinical and laboratory approach to distinguishing BPDCN from acute myeloid leukemia with cutaneous manifestations and provides a critical analysis of conventional and more innovative therapeutic lines as well as the benefit of hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Key words: plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia; Covid 19 infection
Address for correspondence:
Kantarjiev, V.
Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology,
Medical Academy – Sofia
1606, Sofia
3, “sv. Georgi Soiyski”, Str.