Cutaneous Amyloidoses

Overview

Cutaneous amyloidoses represent a group of diseases classified according to the origin of amyloid. Amyloidoses from keratin include lichen amyloidosus, macular amyloidosis, amyloidosis due to actinic damage of keratinocytes and amyloidosis connected to epidermal tumors. AL amyloidoses originate from monoclonal plasmocyte proliferation with increased level of serum immunoglobulins. Amyloid L originates from their light chains and deposits in various tissues, mainly around vessels. Amyloidoses with A amyloid are connected to chronic inflammatory processes leading to increased level of serum amyloid A-related protein that belongs to acute phase proteins. This protein is metabolised into amyloid A in the serum and deposits around vessels in various tissues in the case of high serum levels. Histopathological examination is clue to final diagnosis in each type of amyloidosis.

Key words:
cutaneous amyloidoses – clinical picture – histopathological pattern – therapy