{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Interstitial mycosis fungoides: A rare presentation of mycosis fungoides with overlapping granulomatous and folliculotropic features.
{Author}: Chung C;Wu B;LeWitt T;Griffin T;Hooper M;Zhou XA;Choi J;Guitart J;
{Journal}: J Cutan Pathol
{Volume}: 51
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2024 Jun 5
{Factor}: 1.458
{DOI}: 10.1111/cup.14599
{Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Interstitial mycosis fungoides (IMF) is a rare subtype of mycosis fungoides (MF) characterized by atypical lymphocytes infiltrating the reticular dermis between collagen bundles with limited epidermotropism and variable granulomatous features.
METHODS: Retrospective single institution review of 31 cases of IMF including clinical characteristics, disease course and pathological features.
RESULTS: Our cohort was predominately male (19; 61%, M:F 1.6:1) with a mean age at diagnosis of 43 years (range 11-85), mean signs/symptoms duration of 7 years prior to diagnosis, and 6 years mean follow-up duration. Clinically, patients often exhibited symmetric ill-defined patches/plaques involving intertriginous regions with tan-yellow hyperpigmentation and follicular-based papules, wrinkling, and alopecia. Lymphadenopathy was noted in seven patients. Fifteen (52%) patients were in near or complete clinical remission at the latest follow-up. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was positive in 23/24 (96%) cases. Histopathologically, atypical cells were small-medium, CD4+ (29; 94%) or rarely CD4+/CD8+ (1; 3%) lymphocytes infiltrating the reticular dermis with thickened collagen bundles (27; 87%), multinucleated giant cells (12; 39%), and often tracing along adnexa with subtle folliculotropism (12/20; 60%).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates IMF is an indolent subtype of MF with distinct features, including frequent granulomatous and subtle follicular involvement resulting in alopecia.