Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBSERVATIONS: We report 2 patients affected by Langerhans cell histiocytosis who, during chemotherapy, presented cutaneous lesions with clinical and histological features of juvenile xanthogranuloma. During the therapy, in both cases, histological examination of new biopsies revealed the presence of Touton giant cells in the dermis with a few histiocytic cells; immunohistochemical staining was negative for CD1a, and no Birbeck granules were seen by ultrastructural examination. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A possible explanation for the link between Langerhans cell histiocytosis and juvenile xanthogranuloma regards the lineage development and the relationships of histiocytes. We suggest that chemotherapy can modify the production of cytokines by influencing the conversion or 'maturation' of pathological cells into macrophages or xanthomatous cells and fusing them to form multinucleated giant Touton cells. In our opinion, the modification of the cutaneous lesions during chemotherapy in Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients, as observed in our cases, could be a favorable prognostic factor.
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Authors | Annalisa Patrizi, Iria Neri, Federica Bianchi, Valentina Guerrini, Cosimo Misciali, Giuseppina Paone, Roberta Burnelli |
Journal | Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
(Dermatology)
Vol. 209
Issue 1
Pg. 57-61
( 2004)
ISSN: 1018-8665 [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 15237270
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel |
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
(complications, diagnosis, pathology)
- Humans
- Male
- Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile
(complications, diagnosis, pathology)
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