Diagnostics in mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this paper was to present diagnostic methods helping in the recognition of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS).

Background: Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. It is characterized by a distinctive long-term course and malignant T-cell proliferation. MF diagnosis is not easy, mainly due to the atypical clinical presentation of the disease at an early stage.

Materials and methods: Low specific changes, which can be observed at the histopathological examination. Initially, the skin lesions may resemble psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or chronic eczema. Patients are qualified according to the available, and generally accepted WHO-EORTC classification, based on a combination of clinical and histopathological markers. From a clinical point of view, it is also important to carry out the qualification according to the TNMB assessment, which allows to specify the stage of the disease, and is helpful in the monitoring of the course of disease and therapeutic effects.

Results: In this paper we try to present currently available diagnostic methods.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of MF and SS still causes many problems due to less characteristic changes in the early stage of disease and requires wide interdisciplinary knowledge.

Keywords: CTCL; Diagnostics; Mycosis fungoides; Sezary syndrome.