Mycosis Fungoides: A Clinicopathological Study of 60 Cases from a Tertiary Care Center

Decoding Early Mycosis Fungoides: Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Clues

INTRODUCTION

Primary cutaneous lymphomas, notably mycosis fungoides (MF), present diagnostic challenges in recognizing early mycosis fungoides (eMF) due to their diverse clinical and histopathologic manifestations. The aim of our study was to use adjunctive histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods in eMF cases to make an early diagnosis and to facilitate differentiation from other dermatoses.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 35 cases of eMF diagnosed at a single center. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were collected, and histopathologic features were assessed. Comparative analyses were conducted with conditions mimicking eMF, including large plaque parapsoriasis (LPP), psoriasis, and chronic dermatitis. Immunohistochemistry for T-cell markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD2, CD7) was performed.

RESULTS

With the scoring we applied in our study, a sensitivity of 91.43% (95% CI; 76.94% to 98.20%) and specificity of 85.71% (95% CI; 69.74% to 95.19%) for distinguishing eMF from LPP. Epidermotropism emerged as a crucial histopathologic marker, with a notable absence in most cases of cutaneous dermatitis (81.6% and 80% for CD and psoriasis, respectively) (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed a T-helper phenotype (CD4+/CD8-) in the majority of eMF cases (78.1%), while CD4+/CD8+ and CD8+/CD4- patterns were less common (28.5% and 8.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the complexities in distinguishing eMF from inflammatory skin diseases, advocating for a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

Multidisciplinary Approach to the Diagnosis and Therapy of Mycosis Fungoides

Mycosis fungoides is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, characterized by skin-homing CD4+ T cells derivation, indolent course, and low-grade of malignancy. Mycosis fungoides's classic type typically onsets with cutaneous erythematous patches, plaque, and tumor. In WHO-EORTC classification, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides, pagetoid reticulosis, and granulomatous slack skin are recognized as distinct variants of mycosis fungoides, because of their clinical and histological features, behavior, and /or prognosis. Mycosis fungoides often shows diagnostic difficulties, due to its absence of specific features and lesional polymorphism. A patient's treatment requires staging. In about 10% of cases, mycosis fungoides can progress to lymph nodes and internal organs. Prognosis is poor at advanced stage and management needs a multidisciplinary team approach. Advanced stage disease including tumors, erythroderma, and nodal, visceral, or blood involvement needs skin directed therapy associated with systemic drugs. Skin directed therapy includes steroids, nitrogen mustard, bexarotene gel, phototherapy UVB, and photochemiotherapy, i.e., total skin electron radiotherapy. Systemic therapies include retinoids, bexarotene, interferon, histone deacetylase inhibitors, photopheresis, targeted immunotherapy, and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Complexity of mycosis fungoides associated with long-term chronic evolution and multiple therapy based on disease stage need a multidisciplinary team approach to be treated.

Mycosis fungoides in pediatric population: comprehensive review on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, it is rare in pediatric population. Most of the cases of pediatric MF present with hypopigmented patches and/or various other forms, which may often mimic common childhood dermatoses, thereby causing a delay in the diagnosis. There are no established treatment guidelines for pediatric MF. As the progression of childhood MF is extremely rare and it has an indolent course, it is usually diagnosed at an early stage (IA, IB, IIA), and hence phototherapy with a response rate of >80% is a well-established effective treatment in children. However, as recurrences are frequently seen on stopping the therapies, a maintenance regimen and long-term follow-up is equally important. This article reviews the epidemiological factors, clinical presentations, diagnosis, and various treatment modalities used in pediatric MF. We analyzed and compared the data of almost 616 childhood MF cases from various studies undertaken from 1988 to 2021.

Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes in early patch/plaque stage of mycosis fungoides, compared with uninvolved skin

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was evaluation of the skin biophysical properties in early patch/plaque stage of mycosis fungoides (MF) and its comparison with uninvolved skin in order to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, R5), thickness, and echo density of epidermis and dermis were measured on lesions of 21 patients and compared with controls (average measures of uninvolved perilesional and symmetrical skins) by paired sample t test.

RESULTS

Stratum corneum hydration (P < 0.001) and echo density of dermis (P = 0.044) were significantly lower, whereas pH (P-value = 0.007), erythema (P < 0.001), and melanin content (P = 0.007) were significantly higher in lesions. There was not any significant difference in TEWL, friction index, sebum, temperature, R0, R2, R5, thickness of epidermis and dermis, and echo density of epidermis between lesions and normal skin.

CONCLUSION

Parapsoriasis/MF lesions are specified by a set of certain changes in biophysical properties which are mainly correlated with histological changes. These sets of alterations may help in noninvasive, early diagnosis of parapsoriasis/MF.

Cellular Interactions and Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprises a group of lymphoproliferative diseases characterized by the accumulation of malignant T cells in chronically inflamed skin lesions. In early stages, the disease presents as skin patches or plaques covering a limited area of the skin and normally follows an indolent course. However, in a subset of patients the cutaneous lesions develop into tumors and the malignant T cells may spread to the lymphatic system, blood and internal organs with fatal consequences. Despite intensive research, the mechanisms driving disease progression remain incompletely understood. While most studies have focused on cancer cell-intrinsic oncogenesis, such as genetic and epigenetic events driving malignant transformation and disease progression, an increasing body of evidence shows that the interplay between malignant T cells and non-malignant cells plays a crucial role. Here, we outline some of the emerging mechanisms by which tumor, stromal and epidermal interactions may contribute to the progression of CTCL with particular emphasis on the crosstalk between fibroblasts, keratinocytes and malignant T cells.