Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides versus mycosis fungoides with concomitant hypopigmented lesions: same disease or different variants of mycosis fungoides?

BACKGROUND

Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is a rare subtype of mycosis fungoides (MF). We compared patients with exclusive hypopigmented lesions with a group of MF patients with concomitant different lesions.

METHODS

20 patients with HMF only and 14 patients with hypopigmented lesions concomitant with other types of lesions (mixed MF, MMF) were selected. Clinical-epidemiological analysis as well as histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed.

RESULTS

HMF and MMF preserve some similarities, like predilection for dark-skinned persons and slow progression, but they also present differences: the exclusive variant is associated with early onset and a clear CD8+ immunophenotype, whereas MMF patients tend to present a predominance of CD4+ cell infiltrates. Histological analysis revealed similar findings; relapsing courses were common.

CONCLUSION

Whether patients are suffering from exclusive HMF or MMF, the presence of hypopigmented lesions can be considered a marker of good prognosis in MF, since both groups presented similar data, such as staging and disease duration.