Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (marginal zone) with prominent T-cell component and aberrant dual (T and B) genotype;: diagnostic usefulness of laser-capture microdissection

The presence of a dominant B- or T-cell clone is an important diagnostic criterion for distinguishing cutaneous lymphomas from lymphoid reactive infiltrates. Rarely, a combined B- and T-cell rearrangement can be detected from a single sample. In such instances, genotypic analysis does not permit differentiation of the coexistence of a T- and B-cell lymphoma from a single clone harbouring a monoclonal rearrangement for both immunoglobulin heavy chain and T-cell receptor genes. We herein report a case of a skin tumour consistent with a dense cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate showing a double prominent B- and T-cell component. A dual B- and T-cell clonality was detected by polymerase chain reaction from whole-tissue DNA sample. Genotypic analysis with DNA, obtained after laser-assisted microdissection from the B-cell population, again showed both T- and B-cell monoclonal rearrangements. Conversely, the microdissected T-cell population did not reveal a clonal pattern. The diagnosis of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with a dual B- and T-cell genotype was established. This description illustrates the diagnostic usefulness of laser-capture microdissection in cutaneous lymphomas presenting dual genotype.