Early-stage mycosis fungoides, parapsoriasis en plaque, and pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) coincident with pregnancy is rare, and the literature regarding mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common primary cutaneous NHL, and pregnancy is strikingly sparse. The effect of pregnancy on MF, or on parapsoriasis en plaque (PPP), and the effect of these diseases on pregnancy, are still unknown.

Objective: To study the effect of pregnancy on MF and PPP and the impact of these diseases on pregnancy.

Methods: The files of the MF and PPP patients seen during the past 12 years in our department were reviewed to search for patients who had been pregnant during the course of their disease.

Results: Nine women who met the study criteria were identified, seven with early-stage MF and two with PPP. A total of 12 pregnancies was recorded: nine in patients with MF and three in patients with PPP. In none of the patients was there any indication that pregnancy changed the course of MF or PPP. Of the 12 pregnancies, 11 were normal; one was naturally aborted. Two of the patients were treated with topical steroids during pregnancy. One patient was treated with narrow-band ultraviolet-B combined with topical steroids. The rest preferred to avoid any therapy.

Conclusions: Pregnancy appeared to have no impact on the course of early MF or PPP, and no adverse effect was noted on pregnancy. Further studies are needed to clarify the interplay between pregnancy and MF or PPP.