Higher T classification at diagnosis in AAs could imply delay in diagnosis — possibly due to socioeconomic factors or heterogenous clinical presentation. However, the younger age at the onset of disease argues against this hypothesis and may suggest difference in pathophysiology between races. Hence, it becomes critical to evaluate prognosis in this group, which was excellent in our small case-series despite two cases with extracutaneous disease. However, this should be evaluated in larger cohorts of AA patients with longer follow- up periods.Limitations of this study include sample size and possible referral bias; this is a retrospective case-series from a single tertiary cancer center. Our non-white patients’ rate of disease is comparable to similar PCBCL cohorts supporting the significance of our findings.14 Due to the low number of patients, we were unable to evaluate other race groups. Our findings should be validated prospectively in larger cohorts with longer follow-up.In conclusion, the present study highlights the heterogenous clinical presentation of CMZL/CFCL in AA patients. Unlike the poor prognosis in AA patients with MF, our case-series suggests an indolent course and excellent prognosis despite more advanced T classification at presentation in AA patients compared to white patients with low-grade CBCL.Low-Grade Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma in African American Patients
December 2018 | Volume 17 | Issue 12 | Editorials | 1334 | Copyright © December 2018
Shamir Geller MD, Melissa Pulitzer MD, Patricia L. Myskowski MD, Meenal Kheterpal MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Higher T classification at diagnosis in AAs could imply delay in diagnosis — possibly due to socioeconomic factors or heterogenous clinical presentation. However, the younger age at the onset of disease argues against this hypothesis and may suggest difference in pathophysiology between races. Hence, it becomes critical to evaluate prognosis in this group, which was excellent in our small case-series despite two cases with extracutaneous disease. However, this should be evaluated in larger cohorts of AA patients with longer follow- up periods.Limitations of this study include sample size and possible referral bias; this is a retrospective case-series from a single tertiary cancer center. Our non-white patients’ rate of disease is comparable to similar PCBCL cohorts supporting the significance of our findings.14 Due to the low number of patients, we were unable to evaluate other race groups. Our findings should be validated prospectively in larger cohorts with longer follow-up.In conclusion, the present study highlights the heterogenous clinical presentation of CMZL/CFCL in AA patients. Unlike the poor prognosis in AA patients with MF, our case-series suggests an indolent course and excellent prognosis despite more advanced T classification at presentation in AA patients compared to white patients with low-grade CBCL.
