Premium
Plaque stage folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: histopathologic features and prognostic factors in a series of 40 patients
Author(s) -
Santen Suzanne,
Jansen Patty M.,
Quint Koen D.,
Vermeer Maarten H.,
Willemze Rein
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/cup.13615
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , medicine , stage (stratigraphy) , pathology , disease , dermatology , lymphoma , paleontology , biology
Background Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a distinct variant of mycosis fungoides. Recent studies recognized indolent and aggressive subgroups of FMF, but there is controversy how patients presenting with plaques should be classified. The present study describes the histopathologic features of 40 FMF plaques. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for disease progression and poor outcome in this group. Methods Clinical, histopathological, and immunophenotypical data from 40 patients with plaque stage FMF were reviewed and analysed for risk factors for disease progression and survival. Results After a median follow‐up of 80 months, disease progression occurred in 20 of 40 patients. Percentage of atypical cells, cell size, percentage of Ki‐67+ cells, and co‐existent interfollicular epidermotropism, but not the extent of perifollicular infiltrates, were associated with disease progression and reduced survival, while extensive follicular mucinosis was associated with increased survival. Conclusions This study underlines that FMF patients presenting with plaques represent a heterogeneous group and that a subgroup of these patients may have an indolent clinical course. It further shows that histological examination is a valuable tool to differentiate between indolent and aggressive disease.