Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in Caucasian patients: a clinicopathologic study of 7 cases

Abstract

Background: Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It is more frequent in dark-skinned or Asian patients, particularly children. Only 9 cases in Caucasian patients have been reported in the literature so far.

Observation: We describe 7 Caucasian patients (2 children and 5 adults) with hypopigmented MF. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. The phenotype of neoplastic lymphocytes was T helper in 4 cases and T suppressor in 3 (2 of them children). Monoclonality of the T lymphocytes could be detected in hypopigmented lesions in all 7 cases with the use of a polymerase chain reaction technique. In 4 patients, polymerase chain reaction analysis of T-cell receptor-gene rearrangement after laser-based microdissection of the specimen revealed that the monoclonal population of T lymphocytes was confined mainly to the epidermis.

Conclusion: Hypopigmented lesions of MF can be observed in Caucasian patients. Children affected by MF often present with this rare clinical variant of the disease. Persistent or unusual hypopigmented lesions should be subjected to biopsy to avoid delay in the diagnosis of MF, especially in children.