Cutaneous plasmacytosis - A report of five cases with immunohistochemical evaluation for HHV-8 expression

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder that typically affects middle-aged to older individuals of Asian, particularly Japanese, descent. Clinically, it is characterized by multiple asymptomatic red-brown plaques and nodules on the trunk. Lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia may be present. Histologically, the lesions show a moderately dense superficial and deep perivascular infiltrate composed predominantly of mature plasma cells without atypia or light chain restriction. We report our experience with five additional cases, including results of immunohistochemical studies for human herpes virus 8.