The diagnosis, staging, and treatment options for mycosis fungoides

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a spectrum of diseases composed of malignant T lymphocytes. The most common type is mycosis fungoides (MF). An accurate diagnosis of early MF may be difficult because of the varied clinical and histologic expressions of the disease.

The authors review the epidemiology, possible risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, staging, prognosis, and treatment options for MF.

The varied and often nonspecific clinical and histologic presentations of MF may delay diagnosis and staging, thus necessitating further studies such as immunophenotyping and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis.

A multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of MF assists in optimizing outcomes from management of patients with this disease.