Background
Lymphocytoma cutis is not a specific disease. Rather, lymphocytoma cutis is a response to a variety of known and unknown stimuli that results in the accumulation of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in a localized region. Lymphocytoma cutis is known to simulate lymphoma, as reflected primarily by the histologic findings. However, lymphocytoma cutis is a reactive process and generally has a benign course. When known, the inciting agent should be included in the diagnosis. The term lymphocytoma cutis or pseudolymphoma without modification should be reserved for idiopathic cases. Note the images below.
This example of lymphocytoma cutis shows a localized, erythematous-to-brown, ill-defined plaque. 
Lymphocytoma cutis of the shoulder, composed of flesh-colored or erythematous nodules in small groups. 
This photograph of lymphocytoma cutis caused by an arthropod bite shows an erythematous scaling patch of the scalp with localized secondary alopecia. Related eMedicine articles include Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.
Pathophysiology
In lymphocytoma cutis, lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells are recruited to a localized area of the skin in response to known or unknown stimuli. Most cases of lymphocytoma cutis are idiopathic. Lymphocytoma cutis is not considered a lymphocytic response to malignancy.
Cases with known etiologies involve a reaction to tattoo dye, jewelry (especially gold), arthropod bites, medications, folliculitis, trauma, infections (ie, with Borrelia burgdorferi,molluscum contagiosum), vaccinations, and acupuncture.
A discrete subset of lymphocytoma cutis, borrelial lymphocytoma, occurs primarily in Europe, in areas in which the Ixodes ricinus tick is endemic. This form of the disease is a response to an infection due to Borrelia burgdorferi subsp afzelius that is transmitted by a tick bite.[1]
Epidemiology
Frequency
United States
No data on US prevalence or incidence of lymphocytoma cutis are available.
International
No data are available. Lymphocytoma cutis is uncommon but not rare. A discrete subset of lymphocytoma cutis, borrelial lymphocytoma, occurs primarily in Europe, in areas in which the I ricinus tick is endemic.
Mortality/Morbidity
Lymphocytoma cutis is not associated with mortality. Lymphocytoma cutis is rarely associated with morbidity other than minor pain or pruritus. It generally heals without scarring.
Race
No racial predilection is noted for lymphocytoma cutis.
Sex
The female-to-male ratio in reported of lymphocytoma cutis cases is approximately 2:1.
Age
Individuals of any age may be affected, but lymphocytoma cutis is most common in early adulthood.
- The mean patient age at onset is 34 years. Approximately 8% of cases involve patients younger than 18 years.
- Two thirds of patients are younger than 40 years at the time of biopsy.
- Borrelial lymphocytoma is more common in children than adults and is most often observed in Europe.
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