Generalized Plane Xanthoma and Systemic Disease

Two patients with generalized plane normal lipemic xanthomatosis are reported, one with granulocytic leukemia and one with leukemic lymphocytic reticuloendotheliosis. Of the 20 patients reported in the literature with diffuse plane normal lipemic xanthomatosis, ten had diseases of the reticuloendothelial system, particularly multiple myeloma. Essential plane xanthoma does exist. Followup of our previously reported patients indicated that four of the five patients had had no consequential disease and in two, the lesions have demonstrated involution. Diffuse plane normal lipemic xanthomatosis probably is a proliferative process of the lymphoreticular system in the skin that secondarily becomes xanthomatous. Its relationship to diseases of the reticuloendothelial system is expected.