Abstract
Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a distinct entity among B-cell lymphomas. We report on a 53-year-old woman who developed disseminated primary cutaneous MZL with secondary lymph node involvement and perinodular spreading. The tumor cell phenotype was characterized as CD20/CD79a/κ/λ+/bcl-2-positive, CD3/5/15/39/bcl-1-negative. Ki-67 was expressed by 20–35% of tumor cells. There was no evidence of systemic (including bone marrow) involvement. The diagnosis of MZL with plasmacellular differentiation (Stage IVa) was made. The patient was treated with interferon α2a injected s.c. at 9 × 106 U 3 days a week for 1 year. During this time the skin lesions completely disappeared. No evidence of lymph node or extracutaneous disease was found. The patient remains in complete remission. Side effects were only of grade I (WHO); the Karnovsky index was 90%. As shown for other types of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, prolonged interferon α monotherapy may be effective in controlling the disease and/or inducing complete remission in MZL.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 11 December 1998 / Accepted: 13 January 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wollina, U., Hahnfeld, S. & Kosmehl, H. Primary cutaneous marginal center lymphoma – complete remission induced by interferon α2a. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 125, 305–308 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004320050278
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004320050278