Mycosis Fungoides: A Necessary Differential Diagnosis in Infectious Disease and Dermatology Settings

Abstract

Figures

A AND 1B:Disseminated ulcerations and erythroderma on the chest, back, and cervical regions.

A AND 2B: Sézary cells with convoluted nuclei in peripheral blood (Giemsa, x1000).

Full text

A 69-year-old male presented to the Infectious Disease Service with erythematous scaly lesions persisting for five years, which had evolved into diffuse exfoliative erythroderma and multiple disseminated scaly plaques in the three weeks preceding admission. Physical examination revealed infiltrated facial appearance, serous blistering, ulcerated lesions in the oral and genital mucosa, infiltrated plaques on the face and auricular pavilion, crusted scaly plaques on the anterior/posterior trunk and upper and lower limbs with lesion exulceration, intense pruritus, fever, arthralgia, and diffuse lymphadenopathy w(Figure 1). Laboratory findings at admission included LDH 672 U/L, PCR 152.91 mg/dL, 75,000 leukocytes/µL, atypical lymphocytes, and convoluted nucleus lymphomatous cells suggestive of Sézary cells (10-15% in peripheral blood smears) (Figure 2). The clinical course was unfavorable, with a worsening state after 10 days, preceding specific interventions.

FIGURE 1A AND 1B:Disseminated ulcerations and erythroderma on the chest, back, and cervical regions.

FIGURE 2A AND 2B: Sézary cells with convoluted nuclei in peripheral blood (Giemsa, x1000).

The challenging diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, particularly mycosis fungoides (MF), stems from nonspecific clinical-laboratory findings1. The annual incidence of T-cell cutaneous lymphoma is extremely low, at 0.77/100,000 individuals, with an estimated incidence of 0.41/100,000 for MF2.

In this case, the variable symptomatic manifestations did not indicate early MF. Extensive desquamative plaques and ulcerated/infected lesions were the reasons for admission, while the detection of Sézary allowed formulation of a diagnostic hypothesis.

MF significantly resembles various benign inflammatory skin conditions3. However, delayed diagnosis, as seen here, amplifies the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes4.

Thus, a cautious approach is warranted in infectious diseases and dermatology settings, considering MF as a differential diagnosis in presentations hinting at it.

ETHICS

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (CAAE 33818720.6.0000.5011).