Reclassification of 300 primary cutaneous B-Cell lymphomas according to the new WHO-EORTC classification for cutaneous lymphomas: comparison with previous classifications and identification of prognostic markers.

PURPOSE: In the new WHO-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) classification for cutaneous lymphomas three major groups of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) are distinguished: primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZL) and primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) with a good prognosis, and primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL-LT), with an intermediate-level prognosis. This study aimed to assess the clinical significance of the new classification compared with previous classification schemes (EORTC 1997; WHO 2001) and to define prognostic factors within the newly defined categories.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present study clinical data and histologic sections of 300 patients with CBCL, formerly classified according to the EORTC classification, were reviewed and reclassified according to the WHO and the new WHO-EORTC classification schemes.

RESULTS: After reclassification, the study comprised 71 patients with PCMZL, 171 patients with PCFCL, and 58 patients with PCLBCL-LT, showing 5-year disease-specific survivals of 98%, 95%, and 50%, respectively. When compared with the EORTC and WHO schemes, 5.3% and 36.3% of patients with CBCL were reclassified into another prognostic category. Multivariate analysis of PCFCL revealed localization on the leg and expression of FOXP1 as independent parameters associated with a poor prognosis. Expression of Bcl-2 or MUM-1 had no significant effect on survival in this group. In PCLBCL-LT, no independent prognostic parameters were found.

CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the clinical significance of the WHO-EORTC classification, but suggest that within the group of PCFCL, distinction should be made between lymphomas presenting on the legs and lymphomas presenting at other sites.