[larry Dunn]

I am a 74 y.o. male (MDS RARS intermediate 2 CR 7 del) diagnosed 16 months ago. Over a year ago they gave me a platelet transfusion which must have been contaminated somehow and I became refractory to platelet transfusions. At the same time I developed this same rash you describe on my lower leg. It is red and bumpy with flaking skin. My hgb was down to 40 and platelets 3. I thought I had HVGD from the transfusion. They did a biopsy at the cancer center which was inconclusive. Then they diagnosed me with hemolytic anemia and put me on prednisone 50ml and the rash started clearing up. There was terrible itching all over but especially my forearms which also learned up completely with the prednisone. But they tapered me off and the symptoms returned. Dermatologist couldn’t diagnose it but prescribed Betaderm steroid cream which helped too. Oncologist can’t explain the rash. I also have been diagnosed with CLL which I probably have had long before the MDS but no symptoms of enlarged lymph glands. I am starting to wonder whether the rash is actually related to Mycosis fungoides. Mycosis fungoides is a form of T-cell lymphoma. Skin cancers are more common with CLL than MDS. I also have the same mouth sores which at one point became infected and I was on a course of antibiotics which cleared some of the sores leaving scar tissue but now I have another sore which is infected on my inner cheek. Oral surgeon prescribed Peridex mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate which really helps. There is also another mouth cancer called Mchlorhexidine gluconate.
Another possibility is Myeloid Sarcoma or chloroma common in late state leukemia. I am sure I have AML now but need another bone marrow biopsy to confirm it. I have refused chemotherapy and I don’t know what the purpose of a biopsy on my mouth would be.
Hope this information helps.

[Author]

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