Lymphomatoid papulosis associated with mycosis fungoides: a study of 21 patients including analyses for clonality

Abstract

Background Although an association of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) with mycosis fungoides (MF) is recognized, our understanding of this relation is limited. Objective We sought to document the clinical experience at the University of California, San Francisco, in 21 patients who had both LyP and MF and to do clonality studies in 7 of those patients in whom this was possible. Methods We conducted chart review of the 21 patients and analysis for T-cell receptor-γ gene rearrangements by the polymerase chain reaction. Results Of 54 patients, 21 (39%) with LyP had associated MF. LyP preceded MF in 14 (67%), MF preceded LyP in 4 (19%), and there was concurrent appearance in 3 (14%). Of the 21 patients, 20 (95%) were type A and only 1 (5%) was type B. An identical clone was found in lesions of both LyP and MF in all 7 patients in whom analysis was possible. Conclusion Findings of this study strengthen the idea that LyP and MF are related T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.