Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides
Basics
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare and typically indolent mature T-cell lymphoma presenting primarily in the skin. This disease involves overlap of the disciplines of dermatology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.
Description
- A heterogeneous group of relatively uncommon extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas
- This topic focuses on mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common subtype of cutaneous lymphoma. Other subtypes include Sézary syndrome and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). For other subtypes, please consult the Reference section.
Epidemiology
- Median age at diagnosis is 55 to 60 years; however, it can occur in children and young adults.
- Male-to-female ratio = 2:1
- Incidence is higher in African Americans.
Incidence
- 0.6 cases per 100,000 per year
- ~4% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Unknown but thought to be due to genetic and epigenetic abnormalities
- Infiltration of activated and malignant T cells in the skin
- Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, which can lead to eosinophilia and atopy-like symptoms
Genetics
- Clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements are detected in most cases.
- No recurrent, MF-specific chromosomal translocations have been identified.
- Loss at chromosome 10q and abnormalities in the tumor suppressor genes p15, p16, and p53 are common.
Risk Factors
Possible risk factors include viral infection (HTLV-1, EBV) or solvent/chemical exposure.
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816085/all/Cutaneous_T_Cell_Lymphoma_Mycosis_Fungoides.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816085/all/Cutaneous_T_Cell_Lymphoma_Mycosis_Fungoides. Accessed October 12, 2024.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816085/all/Cutaneous_T_Cell_Lymphoma_Mycosis_Fungoides
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 October 12]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816085/all/Cutaneous_T_Cell_Lymphoma_Mycosis_Fungoides.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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T1 - Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mycosis Fungoides
ID - 816085
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816085/all/Cutaneous_T_Cell_Lymphoma_Mycosis_Fungoides
PB - Wolters Kluwer
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DB - Medicine Central
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