Mycosis fungoides natural history, complications and prognosis

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma Microchapters
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Overview
Classification Mycosis fungoides Sezary syndrome
Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sowminya Arikapudi, M.B,B.S. [2]

Overview

If left untreated, cutaneous T cell lymphoma may progress to develop cutaneous patches and plaque., plaque, and tumors. Depending on the extent of the lymphoma at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary.

Natural history

• Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is usually initially seen by dermatologists with patients presenting with skin lesions
• Patients often have a history of several years of eczematous or dermatitic skin lesions before the diagnosis is finally established
• The skin lesions then progress from the patch stage to the plaque stage to cutaneous tumors
• Mycosis fungoides is initially an indolent lymphoma that may later develop peripheral lymphadenopathy and can finally progress to widespread visceral involvement.

Prognosis

• Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is usually a slow-growing (indolent) lymphoma
• The prognosis for people with cutaneous T cell lymphoma is based on the extent of disease and how the person responds to treatment
• Although more advanced stages of cutaneous T cell lymphoma may not be cured, the lymphoma can still be controlled with treatment

Favorable prognosis

• Early stage disease
• Lymphoma is confined to the skin

Unfavorable prognosis

• More advanced disease
• Lymphoma has spread to lymph nodes
• Lymphoma has spread to other organs

References

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