[Interstitial mycosis fungoid: a rare variant of mycosis fungoids. Two cases]

Ann Pathol. 2011 Feb;31(1):36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.annpat.2010.09.003. Epub 2011 Jan 28.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Mycosis fungoids can present with various clinical and histological features, with only a few of them being recognized as distinct entities in the current WHO and EORTC classifications. Histologically, mycosis fungoids (MF) usually show a superficial perivascular or band-like lymphocytic infiltrate with epidermotropism. We here report two cases of a rare histological variant of MF, called interstitial in the literature. Our first patient, a 71-year-old male, had a previously diagnosed MF, which clinically evolved towards nodules, showing histologically an interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate without epidermotropism and without large cell transformation. The second patient was a 64-year-old female with widespread plaques and nodules. Histologically, a dense dermal interstitial infiltrate was observed, with foci of epidermotropism, without large cell transformation. At relapse after treatment, she presented with plaques, papules and nodules, histologically showing a slight interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate that resembled granuloma annulare or inflammatory morphea. In both patients, clinical aspect suggested MF and a dominant T-cell clone was found in lesional skin. Nodules in MF are not always the hallmark of large cell transformation, but may correspond to unusual interstitial lesions. Diagnosis of such rare variant may be difficult and requires a good clinical pathological correlation together with the search for foci of epidermotropism on skin biopsy and for a dominant cutaneous T-cell clone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Biopsy
  • Clobetasol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycosis Fungoides / classification
  • Mycosis Fungoides / drug therapy
  • Mycosis Fungoides / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • PUVA Therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / classification
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Clobetasol
  • Methotrexate