Lichen myxedematosus. Treatment with cyclophosphamide

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Lichen myxedematosus is a rare, chronic, and progressive skin disease of unknown cause.
• Histologically, it is defined by mucin deposition in the upper dermis.
• A serum paraprotein is often associated with this condition.

Observation:

• This report details the third case of lichen myxedematosus treated with oral cyclophosphamide.
• The patient in this case did not exhibit the characteristic serum paraprotein, similar to some previously reported cases.

Findings:

• Treatment with oral cyclophosphamide resulted in observable improvement of the skin manifestations.
• The therapeutic response was not associated with complete resolution of the skin findings.

Implications:

• Oral cyclophosphamide may be a viable treatment option for lichen myxedematosus, particularly in patients without a serum paraprotein.
• Further research is warranted to optimize treatment strategies and achieve complete remission for this rare condition.