Understanding BPDCN: From Disease Presentation to Diagnosis

An expert discusses how blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors, presenting with skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, and bone marrow involvement. For a man aged 62 years, key concerns include rapid progression, immunophenotypic complexity, and potential misdiagnosis. Diagnostic challenges arise from its rarity and overlapping features with other hematologic disorders. Improved outcomes require multidisciplinary teams, standardized testing protocols, and specialized referral centers.