Cutaneous Mastocytosis

[Guest Posts]

I hope you might be able to clear up some confusion that I have. My three year old son was diagnosed with Cutaneous Mastocytosis approximately 1.5 years ago. He had two lesions (on his shoulder and behind his ear) for over six months before diagnosis. His spots would regularly blister and hive, his main trigger appears to be temperature, he also reacts to cold medication.

He has recently been seen by a paediatric immunologist who stated that he has Mastocytomas (which was the sub type I was expecting from personal research). However I was confused by the fact that he then said he did not have Cutaneous Mastocytosis. It is my understanding that under WHO definitions Mastocytomas come under the umbrella of Cutaneous Mastocytosis. Things may have changed from the papers I was able to access but it has left me confused about my sons condition.

Many thanks in advance

Claire

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Dear Claire,

Thank you. I am not an immunologist but like you I understand that mastocytoma is a part of a more general condition mastosytosis as detailed here

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/mastocytoma/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5356454/

Perhaps best is to ask your immunologist next time what he meant.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Dr Anton Alexandroff