Primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T-cell lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas most commonly have a CD4(+) memory T-cell phenotype with relatively indolent course, but May in rare Cases present with a CD8(+) cytotoxic phenotype exhibiting strikingly more aggressive clinical behavior. We present two cases of the clinically aggressive subtype of primary cutaneous epidermotropic CD8(+) cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and review the current literature, clinical behavior, and recommendations for treatment distinct from that of more common CD4(+) variants of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;62:300-7.)