Actinic reticuloid simulating Sézary syndrome. Report of two cases

A report is given on two male patients who showed all the main characteristics of Sézary syndrome (SS). When phototested, however, they proved to be extremely photosensitive, which suggested a diagnosis of actinic reticuloid (AR). This was supported by the predominance in blood and skin specimens of lymphoid cells with a suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype, the absence of clonal cell proliferation and a benign clinical course. Differential diagnostic problems of SS and erythrodermic AR are discussed.