Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: clinicopathological analysis of 17 patients

Follicular mycosis fungoides: Clinicohistopathologic features and outcomes in a series of 12 Chinese cases

Background Follicular mycosis fungoides is a distinct variant of mycosis fungoides with a broad clinical spectrum. Recently, many studies have indicated that follicular mycosis fungoides should be divided into different subtypes with disparate prognoses. Objective To define the clinicohistopathologic features and outcomes of follicular mycosis fungoides and to identify risk factors that may be related to the prognosis of Chinese patients with follicular mycosis fungoides. Materials and methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective study and reviewed the clinical, histopathologic and immunophenotypic data of 12 patients diagnosed with follicular mycosis fungoides between 2009 and 2020 in the Department of Dermatology of West China Hospital of Sichuan university. Results A total of 12 patients (seven males and five females) with a mean age of 30 ± 14 years (age range 16-55 years) were included. Scalp and face were the most common involved sites (100%). Follicular papules, acneiform lesions, plaques, and nodules, were the main clinical presentations. Histopathological findings were consistent with the classic manifestations of follicular mycosis fungoides, including folliculotropism, perifollicular and intrafollicular lymphocytic infiltrates and mucinous degeneration. Interferon α-1b was the most common treatment. Four patients died of follicular mycosis fungoides in three years. Notably, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decreased number of CD20+ cells in the deceased patients. Limitations This is a retrospective evaluation with a small number of cases; further prospective studies are warranted to support our inferences. Conclusion Our patients were much younger than in previous studies. The observed difference in this cohort may be explained by race, in addition to the limited number of cases. A decreased number of B cells might be associated with a poor prognosis, and more studies are necessary to discover the role of B cells in follicular mycosis fungoides as well as in mycosis fungoides.

Association of a Proposed New Staging System for Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides With Prognostic Variables in a US Cohort

Importance

A new cutaneous staging system for folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) has been purported to better estimate survival compared with the staging system for conventional mycosis fungoides.

Objective

To analyze predictive variables associated with survival and evaluate the effectiveness of the newly proposed staging system for estimating overall survival and disease-specific survival (DSS) in a US cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study assessed 195 patients with FMF in the dermatopathology database of the University of California, San Francisco from January 1, 1990, to April 31, 2012, for eligibility. A total of 153 patients were excluded for the following reasons: (1) alternative diagnoses were favored ranging from benign dermatitides to other forms of cutaneous lymphoma; (2) technical problems with slides; and (3) lack of follow-up information. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2018, to August 31, 2020.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate overall survival and DSS for the entire cohort. Possible predictive variables associated with survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Each variable was examined separately, followed by a multiple-variable model. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate overall survival and DSS by subdividing the cohort into early- and advanced-stage cutaneous disease.

Results

Forty-two patients were included in the analysis (mean age at diagnosis, 55 [range, 8-89] years; 31 men [74%]). For the entire cohort, the estimated 5-year overall survival rate was 89% (95% CI, 79%-99%); 10-year rate, 78% (95% CI, 63%-92%); and 15-year rate, 58% (95% CI, 31%-85%). Estimated 5- and 10-year DSS rates were 89% (95% CI, 79%-99%); 15-year rate, 80% (95% CI, 61%-99%). For overall survival in the multiple-variable Cox proportional hazards regression model, only age was statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR] per 10-year age increase, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4-7.2; P = .008), whereas for DSS, only cutaneous disease was statistically significant (HR, 11.4; 95% CI, 1.3-103.0; P = .03). When stage stratified, the 5-year estimated overall survival rate for early-stage disease was 96% (95% CI, 89%-103%); 10-year rate, 82% (95% CI, 65%-98%); and 15-year rate, 65% (95% CI, 33%-97%). For advanced-stage disease, the estimated 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 70% (95% CI, 41%-98%); the 15-year rate, 53% (95% CI, 16%-89%). For early-stage cutaneous disease, the estimated 5-, 10- and 15-year DSS rates were all 96% (95% CI, 89%-103%). For advanced-stage cutaneous disease, the estimated 5- and 10-year DSS rates were 70% (95% CI, 41%-98%); the 15-year rate, 53% (95% CI, 16%-89%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Cox proportional hazards regression modeling demonstrated cutaneous stage to be the only statistically significant predictive variable associated with DSS. Subdividing FMF into early and advanced cutaneous stages was associated with effective estimation of survival in this cohort. Thus, findings suggest that FMF is a heterogeneous disease with early and advanced cutaneous stages; that the new staging system is effective in estimating survival in a US cohort; and that the poor prognosis initially associated with FMF only applies to the advanced cutaneous stage.

High incidence of adnexotropism in cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas

BACKGROUND

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma (PCγδTCL) and primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic T-cell lymphomas (PCAETCL) are rare aggressive cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas (CyCL) often difficult to diagnose. Histopathologically, PCAETCL and PCγδTCL may resemble mycosis fungoides (MF) and the presence of adnexotropism in CyCL (CyCL) contributes to this diagnostic challenge, especially in the setting of atypical and double-negative phenotypes.

METHODS

In this retrospective study clinical data and histopathological section of 91 patients were analyzed for signs of clinical and histopathological signs adnexotropism.

RESULTS

Adnexotropism was identified in 48.4% (44/91) of cases, including PCAETCL (40.9%, 18/44), PCγδTCL and cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas, not otherwise specified (CyCTCL, NOS) (43.2%, 19/44 and 15.9%, 7/44). Comparison between disease-related mortality with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of non-adnexotropic vs adnexotropic CyCL did not show any significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.8). Clinically they present with patches, plaques, and tumors and commonly with ulceration, but follicular prominence or alopecia are rare. Clinical signs of adnexotropism such as alopecia and hypo- or anhidrosis were rarely seen.

CONCLUSION

Adnexotropism is a common finding in CyCL, especially in PCAETCL. Adnexotropic CyCL may be histopathologically difficult to distinguish from folliculotropic mycosis fungoides. A comprehensive IHC panel should be routinely performed in such cases.

Acneiform Presentations of Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides

BACKGROUND

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that has clinical overlap with a variety of inflammatory follicular unit disorders. However, we describe distinctive presentations of FMF with acneiform features that can be diagnostically challenging, leading to diagnostic delay.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the importance of histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation for diagnostic confirmation of presumed inflammatory follicular unit-based disorders that are unusual in presentation or unresponsive to standard therapies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective study of 5 consecutive patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of FMF was conducted. The clinical, histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic features of cases are presented.

RESULTS

We describe 5 patients with clinical and histopathologic presentations of FMF masquerading as hidradenitis suppurativa, furunculosis, or acne vulgaris (age range 34-66 years, 4:1 female to male). Clinical morphologies included open and closed comedones, inflammatory pustules, papules and nodules, follicular papules with keratotic plugging, cysts, and scarring involving the face, trunk, and intertriginous areas. All patients failed to respond to standard therapies, including topical and oral antibiotics, topical and oral retinoids, or topical corticosteroids, before receiving the diagnosis of FMF. Lesional skin biopsies showed a perifollicular CD4-positive T-lymphocytic infiltrate with pilotropism, intrafollicular mucin deposition, foreign-body granulomatous inflammation, acute inflammation, and follicular epithelial necrosis. None had concurrent systemic mycosis fungoides.

LIMITATIONS

Small retrospective cohort study.

CONCLUSION

We present these cases to expand the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of FMF that may strikingly resemble acneiform disorders and to highlight the importance of diagnostic reconsideration with histopathologic evaluation.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: Clinical characteristics, treatments, and long-term outcomes of 53 patients in a tertiary hospital

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is characterized by a broad clinical spectrum and worse prognosis compared to classical MF. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and long-term outcome and risk factors for progression and survival of FMF patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective study and reviewed 53 patients diagnosed with FMF between 1990 to 2019 in a referral center at Ankara University, Turkey. Regarding to stage at diagnosis, 24 patients (45.3%) had advanced-stage disease (≥IIB). Follicular papules was observed in 66% and alopecia in 49.1% of the cases. Forty-three patients (81.1%) suffered from pruritus. The majority of the patients (92.4%) had at least one systemic therapy. Complete remission was achieved in 24.5% of the patients. The median time of overall survival (OS) was 50 months (range 9-324 months) and 5-year and 10-year OS was 83% and 69%, respectively. Twenty-eight (52.3%) patients progressed to more advanced stages and seven (13.2%) patients died due to MF during the follow-up period. FMF is associated with a progressive course and in most patients, skin-directed therapies were found to be inefficient to control the disease and multiple systemic therapeutic agents were required to control the disease.

Plaque stage folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: histopathologic features and prognostic factors in a series of 40 patients

BACKGROUND

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a distinct variant of mycosis fungoides. Recent studies recognized indolent and aggressive subgroups of FMF, but there is controversy how patients presenting with plaques should be classified. The present study describes the histopathologic features of 40 FMF plaques. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for disease progression and poor outcome in this group.

METHODS

Clinical, histopathological, and immunophenotypical data from 40 patients with plaque stage FMF were reviewed and analysed for risk factors for disease progression and survival.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 80 months, disease progression occurred in 20 of 40 patients. Percentage of atypical cells, cell size, percentage of Ki-67+ cells, and co-existent interfollicular epidermotropism, but not the extent of perifollicular infiltrates, were associated with disease progression and reduced survival, while extensive follicular mucinosis was associated with increased survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underlines that FMF patients presenting with plaques represent a heterogeneous group and that a subgroup of these patients may have an indolent clinical course. It further shows that histological examination is a valuable tool to differentiate between indolent and aggressive disease.

CD8+ cytotoxic mycosis fungoides: a retrospective analysis of clinical features and follow-up results of 29 patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Less than 5% of cases of mycosis fungoides (MF) present with a cytotoxic/suppressor CD8⁺ phenotype. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and clinical course in CD8⁺ MF patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective analysis of 353 MF patients in a referral center at Ankara University, Turkey, 29 patients that were diagnosed with CD8⁺ MF were included in the study.

RESULTS

CD8⁺ MF cases constituted 8.2% of all MF patients. The age at the time of diagnosis ranged between 6 and 81 years with a median value of 46 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.41. Patients presented with erythematous scaly (69%), hyperpigmented (58.6%), poikilodermic (17.2%), and hypopigmented (17.2 %) patches/plaques. The most common sites of involvement were the trunk and lower extremities. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (24.1%, n: 7) with 13 patients (44.8%) having a history of at least one autoimmune disease. At the time of diagnosis, 93.2% of the patients had early-stage disease, and 6.8% of the patients had advanced stage. The mean follow-up period was 6.68 ± 6.04 years (range 1-28 years). Most of the patients were treated with skin-directed therapies. Complete remission was achieved in 17 (58.6%) patients, eight (27.6%) patients had partial remission, and four (13.8%) patients had stable disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that CD8⁺ MF is associated with an indolent course and in most patients, skin-directed therapies were found to be efficient to control the disease.

Immune privilege disruption in folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: investigation of major histocompatibility complex antigen expression

BACKGROUND

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma mainly affecting the hair follicle, which seems to represent a place of immune privilege phenomenon.

OBJECTIVES

To explore a possible role of immune privilege (IP) in FMF analyzing the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry for HLA-G and MHC-II was performed to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cutaneous skin biopsies of FMF patients (n = 43), conventional mycosis fungoides (CMF; n = 13), alopecia areata (AA; n = 13), and normal scalp skin (NS; n = 12).

RESULTS

HLA-G expression was lower in FMF (34%: 14/41) and CMF (18%: 2/11) groups compared to alopecia areata (92%:11/12) and normal scalp skin group (100%: 12/12). MHC-II expression in hair follicle was greater in the FMF group (18/42: 43%) compared to AA (0%) and NS (0%). HLA-G and MHC-II expression in cellular infiltrate had no difference among FMF and CMF groups and was different compared to the AA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the hypothesis of disruption of immune privilege based on the lower expression of HLA-G and higher expression of MHC-II in the follicular epithelium in mycosis fungoides compared to alopecia areata and normal scalp skin. The lack of difference between FMF and CMF groups did not support the role of these molecules as a driver of folliculotropism. The expression of MHC molecules seems to be different between neoplastic and inflammatory infiltrates. The definitive significance of expression of the MHC molecules remains unclear, and more studies are necessary to fully understand the role of these molecules in cutaneous lymphomas.

Clinical characteristics, risk factors and long-term outcome of 114 patients with folliculotropic mycosis fungoides

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a distinct variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) where atypical T-cells invade the hair follicles. The objective was to assess the clinical features, risk factors for progression, long-term outcome and response to treatment modalities in a large cohort of FMF patients. We, therefore, conducted a single-center retrospective study, reviewing 114 patients with FMF seen from 1987 to 2015 at the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma clinic of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The mean age at diagnosis of FMF was 57.1 ± 13.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. MF stage IA (n = 50, 43.9%) was the most common diagnosed stage, followed equally by stages IB and IIB (n = 23, 20.2%, respectively). Eighty-six patients (75.4%) suffered from pruritus. Concomitant hair loss was observed in 37 (32.5%) subjects. The median number of different treatment modalities used per patient was 4 (range 1-12). Low-dose radiation was beneficial in clearing therapy refractory lesions. The overall survival was influenced by several factors, including advanced age (>65), late stages and the presence of large cell transformation (LCT). Thirty-three of 113 patients (29.2%) progressed to more advanced stages and 26 (23.0%) died, with the cause of death being MF in 11 (9.7%) subjects. In conclusion, patients with FMF have a worse overall 10-year survival rate compared with other MF variants. Several factors, including stage, advanced age and the presence of LCT impact survival. Multiple different treatment approaches may be needed to achieve a good clinical response and to prevent disease progression.

Recommendations for treatment in folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: report of the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Group

BACKGROUND

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is an aggressive variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) and generally less responsive to standard skin-directed therapies (SDTs). Recent studies distinguished indolent (early-stage FMF) and more aggressive (advanced-stage FMF) subgroups. The optimal treatment for both subgroups remains to be defined.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate initial treatment results in patients with early- and advanced-stage FMF.

METHODS

A study was undertaken of 203 patients (84 early-stage, 102 advanced-stage, 17 extracutaneous FMF) included in the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry between 1985 and 2014. Type and results of initial treatment were retrieved from the Dutch Registry. Main outcomes were complete remission (CR); sustained complete remission; partial remission (PR), > 50% improvement; and overall response (OR; CR + PR).

RESULTS

Patients with early-stage FMF were treated with nonaggressive SDTs in 67 of 84 cases resulting, respectively, in CR and OR of 28% and 83% for monotherapy topical steroids, 0% and 83% for ultraviolet B (UVB), and 30% and 88% for psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA). In patients with advanced-stage FMF these SDTs were less effective (combined CR and OR 10% and 52%, respectively). In patients with advanced-stage FMF local radiotherapy (CR 63%; OR 100%), total skin electron beam irradiation (CR 59%; OR 100%) and PUVA combined with local radiotherapy (CR 5%, OR 75%) were most effective.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrate that not all patients with FMF should be treated aggressively. Patients with early-stage FMF may benefit very well from standard SDTs also used in early-stage classic MF and have an excellent prognosis.

Vernachlässigte klinische Merkmale der follikulotropen Mycosis fungoides: eine große klinische Fallserie

HINTERGRUND UND ZIEL

Als seltene Form der Mycosis fungoides (MF), ist die follikulotrope MF (FMF) durch ein breites Spektrum klinischer Symptome gekennzeichnet. Dazu gehören, neben den vorherrschenden follikulären Läsionen, auch viele atypische Manifestationen. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war eine klinische Bewertung von FMF-Patienten, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von vernachlässigten dermatologischen Merkmalen.

PATIENTEN UND METHODIK

Insgesamt wurden 27 FMF-Patienten aus dem 572 Patienten umfassenden MF-Register unserer Abteilung retrospektiv bezüglich ihrer Demographie sowie der klinischen Merkmale, Behandlungsformen, Nachsorge und Therapieergebnisse bewertet.

ERGEBNISSE

Neben den bekannten klinischen Symptomen der FMF fanden wir Lichen-spinulosus-artige Läsionen mit begleitender Hypopigmentierung (n = 3) und Alopezie (n = 2), infiltrierte/erhabene, erythematöse Plaques im Gesicht, die zunächst als Lupus tumidus angesehen wurden (n = 2), pseudotumorale Läsionen, die klinisch eine MF im Tumorstadium vortäuschten (n = 1), dauerhafte Exkoriationen (n = 1), erythematöse, Rosazea-artige Papeln im Gesicht (n = 1) sowie kuppelförmige, asymptomatische, mit Muzin gefüllte (in der Histologie) Papeln/Knoten (n = 2), die andere krankheitsbedingte Läsionen überlagerten. Es kamen mehrere Therapieansätze mit unterschiedlichem Ergebnis zur Anwendung. Acht (29,6 %) Patienten hatten FMF im Spätstadium.

SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN

Das Bewusstsein für vernachlässigte klinische Symptome kann wesentlich dazu beitragen, verspätete Diagnosen dieser aggressiven MF-Variante zu verringern.

Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides: Clinical and Histologic Features in Five Patients

BACKGROUND

Alopecia can be a manifestation of mycosis fungoides (MF); however, the prevalence is unknown.

AIMS

We sought to describe the clinicopathologic presentation of alopecia in patients with diagnosis of MF.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with biopsy-proven MF, who were evaluated at our cancer center from 2002 to 2012, was performed to identify patients with alopecia.

RESULTS

Five patients with alopecia were identified from reviewing of 157 patients with MF. The male:female ratio was 3:2, and the mean age of patients was 42.8 years. Two of these patients showed patchy hair loss on scalp which was clinically identical to alopecia areata. In remaining three patients, hair loss was seen in areas of MF lesions, and epidermal changes consisted of patch- and plaque-type lesions of MF, tumors, and follicular lesions (follicular MF) were also present. In two of these patients, lymphadenopathy without any visceral involvement was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Alopecia was observed in 5 (3.18%) patients with MF, which makes it a rare finding, which included alopecia areata-like patchy loss in 2 and alopecia within MF lesions in 3.

Durable remission of folliculotropic mycosis fungoides achieved with a combined topical treatment with cytarabine and carmustine

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (MF) is an uncommon subtype of MF which has a more aggressive natural history and is more resistant to treatment than other forms of MF. In this article, an innovative method of treatment is presented. We describe a successful use of topical cytarabine combined with topical carmustine in a patient with a folliculotropic MF. Based on our patient history we suggest this method as an effective therapy option for patients with folliculotropic MF unresponsive to other forms of treatment.