Mycosis Fungoides : Introduction
Image Description
Introduction: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is an epidermotropic, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma composed of small to medium-sized, skin-homing, CD4+ T-cells with cerebriform nuclei. It is the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and makes up almost 50% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas.
Early lesions (patch stage), which largely define the disease, are flat and slightly scaly which progress to infiltrative plaques and tumor nodules. The term mycosis fungoides refers to the mushroom-like tumors that develop in the advanced stages of the disease. A small percentage of patients have involvement of internal organs.
The photomicrograph shows psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, mild hyperkeratosis, and a perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. Atypical lymphoid cells surrounded by a clear halo are readily apparent in the epidermis (epidermotropism) as well as upper dermis.
Early lesions (patch stage), which largely define the disease, are flat and slightly scaly which progress to infiltrative plaques and tumor nodules. The term mycosis fungoides refers to the mushroom-like tumors that develop in the advanced stages of the disease. A small percentage of patients have involvement of internal organs.
The photomicrograph shows psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, mild hyperkeratosis, and a perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. Atypical lymphoid cells surrounded by a clear halo are readily apparent in the epidermis (epidermotropism) as well as upper dermis.