Prognostic significance of CD30 (Ki-1/Ber-H2) expression in primary cutaneous large-cell lymphomas of T-cell origin. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study in 20 patients.

The histologic and immunophenotypical features of 20 primary cutaneous large-cell lymphomas of T-cell origin were investigated and correlated with clinical data to obtain prognostically relevant criteria. Histologic evaluation, using the updated Kiel classification, showed that these large-cell lymphomas represent a morphologic spectrum, often making classification rather arbitrary. It is therefore concluded that the clinical relevance of histologic subtyping is limited for this group of lymphomas. Immunophenotypical studies revealed significant differences between CD30-positive and CD30-negative lymphomas. CD30-positive lymphomas generally presented with localized skin disease, and had a favorable prognosis (9 of 10 patients alive and in complete remission; median survival, 37 months). In contrast, CD30-negative lymphomas often presented with or rapidly developed generalized disease; all patients died of lymphoma (median survival, 17 months). These findings suggest that CD30 expression is an important prognostic parameter for this group of primary cutaneous large-cell lymphomas.