Describe the three subtypes of mycosis fungoides.
| Fig. 46.4 A patient with Sézary syndrome. |
Sézary syndrome (Fig. 46-4) presents with the classic triad of erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and atypical circulating mononuclear cells (Sézary cells). These cells are moderately large mononuclear cells with hyperconvoluted nuclei. They resemble activated T cells, and when >15% of circulating lymphocytes are atypical, it is considered significant, with 10% to 15% being considered borderline. However, the finding of circulating Sézary cells must be evaluated in context with the clinical picture and skin biopsy. Severe pruritus, ectropion, nail dystrophy, peripheral edema, alopecia, and keratoderma of the palms and soles are common associated features. The disease tends to wax and wane and generally progresses faster and is more resistant to treatment than typical mycosis fungoides.- Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp disease) is characterized by single or grouped hyperkeratotic skin lesion(s). Skin biopsy shows striking epidermotropism, with numerous atypical mononuclear cells, both singly and in clusters, scattered through all levels of the epidermis. The disease tends to be slowly progressive and responds well to local radiation.
- The tumor d’emblee form was initially thought to be a type of mycosis fungoides that began with skin tumors without the usual progression through a patch-and-plaque stage. Recent reports suggest that some of these cases are B-cell primary cutaneous lymphomas and some represent Ki-1–positive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
|