Pathogenesis of Mycosis fungoides

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of primary cutaneous lymphomas. The phenotype of the tumor cell corresponds to an effector/memory-type of helper T cell which, given its repertoire of homing receptors, is specialized for recirculation through the skin. In recent years genetic analyses have uncovered various chromosomal aberrations in the tumour cells of mycosis fungoides. Their relevance to the pathogenesis and clinical appearance are discussed in the following.