Mycosis fungoides overview

# Overview
Mycosis fungoides is rare lymphomas of CD4+ helper T cells. Mycosis Fungoides was first described in 1806 by French dermatologist Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert. On microscopic histopathological analysis,  atypical lymphoid cells,  polymorphous inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, and lymphocytes with cerebroid nuclei are characteristic findings of mycosis fungoides. Mycosis fungoides is caused by a mutation in the T cells. Mycosis fungoides must be differentiated from other diseases such as  eczema and psoriasis. Mycosis fungoides commonly affects  45 and 55  years. In the United States, males are more commonly affected with Mycosis fungoides than females. In the United States, Mycosis fungoides usually affects individuals of the African American race.The risk factors in the development of mycosis fungoides is environmental, occupationalexposure to long term exposure to chemicals, virainfection. According to the the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for cutaneous T cell lymphoma.The staging of mycosis fungoides is based on skin and lymph node involvement.The most common symptoms of mycosis fungoides include fever, weight loss, skin rash, night sweats, itching, chest pain, abdominal pain, and bone pain. Common physical examination findings of mycosis fungoides include fever, rash, pruritus, ulcer, chest tenderness, abdominal tenderness, bone tenderness, peripheral lymphadenopathy, and central lymphadenopathy.Laboratory tests for mycosis fungoides include complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry studies, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry,  and immunophenotyping. The definitive diagnosis of mycosis fungoides is confirmed by either a skin biopsy or a lymph node biopsy. CT scanning in mycosis fungoides patients evaluated information such as enlarged lymph node (LN) and metastatic involvement. MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. PET scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of  mycosis fungoides.Other diagnostic studies for mycosis fungoides include bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy.The predominant therapy for mycosis fungoides is PUVA. Adjunctive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, retinoid therapy, and photophoresis may be required.

# Historical Perspective
Mycosis Fungoides was first described in 1806 by French dermatologist Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert. Sezary's disease was first described by Albert Sezary

# Classification
There are 3 classification methods used to classify cutaneous T cell lymphoma into several subtypes.

# Pathophysiology
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma arises from T-cell lymphocytes, which are normally involved in the cell mediated immune response. On microscopic histopathological analysis,  atypical lymphoid cells,  polymorphous inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, and lymphocytes with cerebroid nuclei are characteristic findings of mycosis fungoides.

# Causes
Development of cutaneous T cell lymphoma is the result of multiple genetic mutations.

# Differential Diagnosis
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma must be differentiated from other diseases such as  eczema and psoriasis.

# Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of mycosis fungoides increases with age; the median age at diagnosis is between 45 and 55 years of age. The median age at diagnosis of Sezary syndrome is between 60 years of age. In the United States, males are more commonly affected with cutaneous T cell lymphoma than females. In the United States, cutaneous T cell lymphoma usually affects individuals of the African American race.

# Risk Factors
There are no established risk factors for cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

# Screening
According to the the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

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

# Diagnosis

## Staging
The staging of cutaneous T cell lymphoma is based on the skin and lymph nodes involvement.

## Symptoms
The most common symptoms of cutaneous T cell lymphoma include fever, weight loss, skin rash, night sweats, itching, chest pain, abdominal pain, and bone pain.

## Physical Examination
Common physical examination findings of cutaneous T cell lymphoma include fever, rash, pruritus, ulcer, chest tenderness, abdominal tenderness, bone tenderness, peripheral lymphadenopathy, and central lymphadenopathy.

## Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests for cutaneous T cell lymphoma include complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry studies, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry,  and immunophenotyping.

## Biopsy
The definitive diagnosis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma  is confirmed by either a skin biopsy or a lymph node biopsy.

## CT
CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

## MRI
MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

## Other Imaging Studies
PET scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

## Other Diagnostic Studies
Other diagnostic studies for cutaneous T cell lymphoma include bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy. 

# Treatment

## Medical Therapy
The predominant therapy for cutaneous T cell lymphoma is PUVA. Adjunctive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, retinoid therapy, and photophoresis may be required.