Skin changes in hairy cell leukemia

Skin lesions have been reported in about 10-12% of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients. Most are etiologically related to autoimmune or infectious processes, although secondary cutaneous neoplasms and drug-induced lesions are also reported. However, leukemia cutis with the direct infiltration of the skin by leukemic cells is extremely rare in HCL patients. This paper reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and approach to treating skin lesions in HCL. A literature review of the MEDLINE database for articles in English concerning hairy cell leukemia, skin lesions, leukemia cutis, adverse events, infectious, cutaneous, drug reactions, neutrophilic dermatoses, secondary neoplasms, and vasculitis was conducted via PubMed. Publications from January 1980 to September 2020 were scrutinized. Additional relevant publications were obtained by reviewing the references from the chosen articles.

Automated summary

Skin lesions are common in hairy cell leukemia patients, mostly related to autoimmune or infectious processes, with leukemia cutis being extremely rare. This paper reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approaches for skin lesions in HCL patients. The review was conducted through MEDLINE database search and included articles from 1980 to 2020.