Subacute dermal monocytic sarcoma: report of a case of monocytic leukemia with initial dermal presentation

Abstract

<span>Monocytic sarcoma is a neoplasm of immature monocytes involving </span><span>any extramedullary site such as skin. The definite diagnosis is </span><span>important for adequate therapy, which is often delayed because</span><br /><span>of misdiagnosis. We report a 51-Year-old diabetic woman who </span><span>presented with several erythematous itchy papules and plaques on </span><span>her scalp, trunk and upper extremities during a five-month period.</span><br /><span>Clinical differential diagnoses were scleredema diabeticorum, </span><span>scleromyxoma, mucinosis, eruptive histiocytosis, leprosy and </span><span>sarcoidosis. Skin biopsy showed features of monocytic sarcoma. We</span><br /><span>present this case to alert dermatologists and dermatopathologists </span><span>of erythematous skin lesions clinically resembling bland-looking </span><span>dermatoses such as scleredema diabeticorum, scleromyxoma,</span><br /><span>mucinosis and eruptive histiocytosis, which, in rare instances, </span><span>may be a presenting feature of a monoblastic leukemia with </span><span>initial dermal presentation.</span>