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Peer-reviewedCC BYCureus

Leukemia Cutis at the Diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report

  • Imane Mouaine1
  • Rida Fatima Ezzahra1
  • Omar Halloumi2
  • Houda Elkhayat1
  • Salma Fares3
  1. 1Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Agadir, MAR
  2. 2Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Agadir, MAR
  3. 3Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir, MAR
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Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults. Specific cutaneous infiltration by leukemic cells is rare and, in exceptional cases, can be the presenting manifestation of the disease. We report the case of a 73-year-old man referred for lymphocyte-predominant hyperleukocytosis associated with infiltrated erythematous plaques on the left leg. Clinical examination found no tumor syndrome. The blood count showed hyperleukocytosis (298,000/mm³), severe anemia (hemoglobin, 4.6 g/dL), and profound thrombocytopenia (5,000/mm³). Blood immunophenotyping revealed a B-lymphoid clone consistent with typical CLL. Skin biopsy showed an atypical dermal lymphoid infiltrate, and immunohistochemistry (CD5+, CD20+, CD23+) was consistent with specific cutaneous involvement by CLL. Immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone was initiated, resulting in marked improvement of the skin lesions after four cycles of treatment. Specific cutaneous infiltration is a rare manifestation of CLL and can, exceptionally, be the presenting feature of the disease. This case highlights the value of performing a skin biopsy for any atypical skin lesion associated with lymphocytosis.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{mouaine2026leukemia,
  title = {{Leukemia Cutis at the Diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report}},
  author = {Imane Mouaine and Rida Fatima Ezzahra and Omar Halloumi and Houda Elkhayat and Salma Fares},
  journal = {Cureus},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.7759/cureus.117281},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13723028},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Leukemia Cutis at the Diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report
AU  - Imane Mouaine
AU  - Rida Fatima Ezzahra
AU  - Omar Halloumi
AU  - Houda Elkhayat
AU  - Salma Fares
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Cureus
DO  - 10.7759/cureus.117281
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13723028
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults. Specific cutaneous infiltration by leukemic cells is rare and, in exceptional cases, can be the presenting manifestation of the disease. We report the case of a 73-year-old man referred for lymphocyte-predominant hyperleukocytosis associated with infiltrated erythematous plaques on the left leg. Clinical examination found no tumor syndrome. The blood count showed hyperleukocytosis (298,000/mm³), severe anemia (hemoglobin, 4.6 g/dL), and profound thrombocytopenia (5,000/mm³). Blood immunophenotyping revealed a B-lymphoid clone consistent with typical CLL. Skin biopsy showed an atypical dermal lymphoid infiltrate, and immunohistochemistry (CD5+, CD20+, CD23+) was consistent with specific cutaneous involvement by CLL. Immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone was initiated, resulting in marked improvement of the skin lesions after four cycles of treatment. Specific cutaneous infiltration is a rare manifestation of CLL and can, exceptionally, be the presenting feature of the disease. This case highlights the value of performing a skin biopsy for any atypical skin lesion associated with lymphocytosis.
SN  - 2168-8184
ER  -