Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with acquired ichthyosis: A case report

Abstract

Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an exceedingly rare subtype of B-cell lymphomas. This cancer is often associated with poor prognosis and can be lethal if left untreated. Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is divided into three variants: the ‘classical variant’, the hemophagocytic syndrome-associated variant or ‘Asian variant’, and the ‘cutaneous variant’, according to the clinical presentation and affected organs. We present a unique case of ‘classic variant’ intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with cutaneous findings, peripheral nervous system involvement and acquired ichthyosis in a patient of Asian descent. This case highlights the importance of a prompt dermatology consultation in the diagnosis of intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. As bone marrow biopsy is often negative, clinicians must recognize the cutaneous findings and acknowledge that skin biopsy can be an essential tool to establish the diagnosis rapidly. Additional finding making this case unique is the concurrent presence of acquired ichthyosis, which has only been previously reported in one case of intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.