Leukemia Cutis of the Nose

Leukemia cutis (LC) represents metastatic spread of aggressive systemic leukemia to the skin and heralds a poor prognosis. We report a patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting as a recalcitrant nasal cellulitis that proved to be involved by LC on skin biopsy. As demonstrated by this case, LC can mimic inflammatory dermatoses, resulting in failure of an accurate diagnosis and consequently inappropriate treatment and delay in optimal therapy. In patients with a history of leukemia, histopathologic examination of refractory conditions is essential and should be performed early in the treatment strategy.