The head and neck manifestations of mycosis fungoides

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that may progress to involve lymph nodes, the spleen, and other visceral organs. We have retrospectively reviewed our 10-year experience with MF at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Forty-five patients received treatment for MF between 1983 and 1992. Approximately 70% of the patients with MF presented with cutaneous or extracutaneous lesions of the head and neck. The head and neck manifestations, clinical assessment, and treatment of our patient population are presented. Mycosis fungoides is a potentially lethal disease that frequently involves the head and neck region and should be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous head and neck lesions.