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BPDCN: Difference between revisions

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''Morphologically the primitive cells may resemble monocytic AML and typically lie in the "blast area" with dim to moderate CD45 expression with low side scatter which can raise the possibility of an AML diagnosis. A skin rash is present in most cases.''
''Morphologically the primitive cells may resemble monocytic AML, or may have less easy to define or even lymphoic morphology. The cells typically lie in the "blast area" - with dim to moderate CD45 expression with low side scatter. A skin rash is present in most cases.''


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'''Potential difficulties in diagnosis:'''
'''Potential difficulties in diagnosis:'''


The most common source of confusion is with the diagnosis of monoblastic AML, although cells may resemle lyphoid balsts or may contain granules:  
The most common source of confusion is with the diagnosis of monoblastic AML, although cells may resemble lymphoid blast cells or may contain granules:  
*The cells have a primitive phenotype with CD7 and TdT frequently expressed but CD34 should be absent.
*'''Identifying primitive phenotype:''' CD7 and TdT are frequently expressed but '''CD34 is most often absent'''
*BPDCN cells will not express MPO or CD3.
*'''Definite lineage assignment:''' MPO, CD19, CD20, cCD22, CD79a and cCD3 should not be expressed  
*CD79A and CD20 should not be expressed
*'''BPDCN is a myeloid neoplasm''' so expression of CD33 is relatively common, and CD117 may also be expressed in some cases - this allows some cases to potentially fit the criteria for an AML diagnosis unless features of BPCDN are actively sought.
*The expression of CD33 is relatively common with CD117 also expressed in some cases, this allows potetial assignment to the AML category.


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Revision as of 14:32, 29 December 2023


Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN)


Morphologically the primitive cells may resemble monocytic AML, or may have less easy to define or even lymphoic morphology. The cells typically lie in the "blast area" - with dim to moderate CD45 expression with low side scatter. A skin rash is present in most cases.


Potential difficulties in diagnosis:

The most common source of confusion is with the diagnosis of monoblastic AML, although cells may resemble lymphoid blast cells or may contain granules:

  • Identifying primitive phenotype: CD7 and TdT are frequently expressed but CD34 is most often absent
  • Definite lineage assignment: MPO, CD19, CD20, cCD22, CD79a and cCD3 should not be expressed
  • BPDCN is a myeloid neoplasm so expression of CD33 is relatively common, and CD117 may also be expressed in some cases - this allows some cases to potentially fit the criteria for an AML diagnosis unless features of BPCDN are actively sought.

What to look for:

Bright expression of: CD56 is generally accompanied by CD36, CD38, CD43, CD71, and HLA-DR, To confirm the diagnosis look also for plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC) associated markers: CD123, CD303, CD304, TCF4, TCL1 .


WHO diagnostic criteria allow BPDCN to be diagnosed:

  • in the presence of CD123 and one other PDC-associated marker in addition to CD4 and/or CD56,
  • in the presence of three PDC-associated markers and the absence of CD34 and other cell type-specific markers including CD3, CD14, CD19, lysozyme, and MPO.

Given the presence of other hematologic malignancies with similar phenotypes, correlation with histomorphology, clinical information and IHC studies is always necessary to make a definitive diagnosis of BPDCN.