Histopathological Patterns in Mycosis Fungoides: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatopathology
• Oncology
• Histopathology

Background:

• Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
• MF presents with diverse histopathological patterns.
• Limited studies exist on MF histopathology in Iran.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the spectrum of histopathological patterns in Iranian MF patients.
• To analyze MF patterns based on age, gender, and biopsy site.
• To identify demographic influences on MF histopathology.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional descriptive study of 64 MF skin biopsy slides (2013-2023).
• Analysis of histopathological patterns, demographic data, and biopsy site.
• Statistical analysis using SPSS, with significance at p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Predominant patterns: psoriasiform (33), lichenoid (14), spongiotic (10).
• Epidermotropism was universal; parakeratosis (37) and atypia (31) were common.
• Eosinophils and cytological atypia were more frequent in males (p=0.016, p=0.044).
• Mild dermal infiltrate varied significantly with age (p=0.041).

Conclusions:

• Psoriasiform, lichenoid, and spongiotic patterns are characteristic of MF in this Iranian cohort.
• Epidermotropism is a consistent finding in MF.
• Age and gender influence specific histopathological features, but patterns are largely independent of biopsy site or age group.