Variably Acid‐fast Bacteria in a Rare Case of Coexistent Malignant Lymphoma and Cutaneous Sarcoid‐like Granulomas

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman presented clinical, laboratory, and histologic evidence of coexistent cutaneous sarcoid-like granulomas, malignant lymphocytic lymphoma, and multiple basal cell carcinomas, all occurring within slightly more than a one-year period. Variably acid-fast coccoid forms were observed in the histologic sections of the cutaneous, non-caseating granulomas: and similar, variably acid-fast, extra and intracelluar coccoid forms and granular bodies were seen in the lymph nodes showing lymphoma. The possible relationship between sarcoid-like granulomas, sarcoidosis, and malignancy is discussed, as well as the possible role of cell wall deficient forms (L-forms) of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of these diseases.