Mycosis Fungoides Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of MF ?
A
- epidermotropic, primary cutaneous T cell lymphoma
- infiltrates of small to medium sized T lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei
- must have the clinical to make this diagnosis
- evolution of patches, plaques and tumors
2
Q
What is the epidemiology of MF ?
A
- most common cutaneous T cell lymphoma and represents 50% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas
- most patients are adults or elderly
- can present in children
- more common in men
- higher incidence in black populations
- increased incidence in certain professions:
- crop and vegetable farming
- painting
- wood working
- carpentry
- petrochemical, textile and metal indulstries
3
Q
What is the localization of MF ?
A
- limited to the skin with variable distribution
- for a protracted period of time
- involement of BM is rare
- extracutaneous spread can occur late in the disease:
- LN
- liver
- spleen
- lungs
- blood
4
Q
What are the clinical features of MF ?
A
- indolent clinical course with slow progression over years
- IMP
- lesions are often confined to sun protected areas
- tumor stage often shows ulceration
- uncommon:
- patients develop an erythrodermic stage of disease
- but this lacks the criteria for Sezary syndrome
5
Q
What are the microscopic features
of the early patch lesions of MF ?
A
- superficial, band-like or lichenoid infiltrates
- mainly consist of lymphocytes and histiocytes
- atypical cells
- small to medium in size
- highly indented (cerebriform) nuclei (few)
- most are confined to epidermis, usually basal layer and have halos around them
- can be single or in a linear distribution
6
Q
What are the microscopic features of
plaque stage MF ?
A
- epidermotropism is more pronounced
- pautrier microabscesses are seen
- these are intraepidermal collections of atypical lymphs
7
Q
What are the microscopic features of
the tumor stage of MF ?
A
- dermal
