Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in Saudi Arabia, epidemiological and pathological study

Introduction

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Hypopigmented MF is one of the less common variants of MF. Although rare, the exact frequency of HMF is still unknown.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective review of 17 cases of hypopigmented mycosis fungoides at two major tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia from the period 2010–2013. We described the clinical and important histological features of these cases. CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD7 stains performed for these cases have also been reviewed.

Results

There were 5 male and 11 female patients. The age of onset of disease ranged between 5 and 60 with a mean of 17 years. All the patients presented with hypopigmented scaly patches. Most common sites of distribution of the lesions were upper and lower extremities (100%) then the trunk (76%). The presence of lymphocytes at the dermoepidermal junction was the most frequent finding seen in 100% cases. Basilar predilection of the lymphocytes was seen in 75.5%. CD8 positivity in epidermal and dermal lymphocytes was seen in 14/17 biopsies. Focal positivity CD4 of the dermal lymphocytes was evident in 5/17. Loss of CD7 is noted in 14/17 biopsies.