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T‐cell receptor‐γ gene analysis in evolving to advancing cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Author(s) -
Foo Christopher CI,
Tang Mark BY,
Chong Tina KL,
Sun YongJiang,
Tan SuatHoon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2007.00370.x
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , medicine , lymphoma , pathology , peripheral t cell lymphoma , cutaneous t cell lymphoma , histology , biopsy , skin biopsy , t cell lymphoma , gene rearrangement , cutaneous lymphoma , t cell , dermatology , biology , immunology , gene , immune system , biochemistry
SUMMARY The diagnosis of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma is often a challenge for the dermatopathologist. Early stages can mimic inflammatory dermatoses. Our aim was to explore the applicability of a standard T‐cell receptor‐γ polymerase chain reaction in various subtypes of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas. Ninety‐six biopsy specimens from 38 patients were selected. These included 72 specimens of mycosis fungoides, 12 specimens of non‐mycosis fungoides T‐cell lymphomas, and 12 specimens in which histology was non‐specific or equivocal in patients who were later diagnosed to have lymphoma. T‐cell clones were detected in 53 of 72 specimens of mycosis fungoides and eight of 12 specimens of non‐mycosis fungoides lymphomas. Of the 72 specimens of mycosis fungoides, T‐cell clones were detected in eight of 10 specimens of mycosis fungoides‐associated follicular mucinosis and pigmented purpura‐like mycosis fungoides. Four specimens from the 12 prediagnostic for cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas showed presence of T‐cell clones, identical to subsequent clones detected when lymphoma was fully established. In specimens where histology is not diagnostic and T‐cell receptor‐γ gene analysis is positive, patients should be followed up closely. T‐cell receptor‐γ gene analysis is a useful adjunct to histological diagnosis of early stage and variant types of mycosis fungoides.