Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report about Masking Effect of Facial Masks in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wu, Shannon S.; Kwiecien, Grzegorz J.; Coombs, Demetrius M.; Foglietti, Sofia; Fostyk, Alanna; Foglietti, Mark A.

The COVID-19 global pandemic commenced widespread usage of face masks. Due to covering of the lower face in public settings, limited social interaction, and patient hesitancy for seeking in-person healthcare, dermatologic conditions of the lower face are prone to delayed diagnosis and management. With society recovering from the pandemic and social distancing restrictions being lifted, an increasing number of patients present with malignant skin conditions at advanced stage. The authors describe a 47-year-old female patient who presented with a 4-month-old facial mass that was initially believed to originate from skin irritation caused by mask-wearing. A biopsy revealed primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL). This case report outlines the management of the rare PC-ALCL lesion and diagnostic challenges related to facial masks and social distancing.