Mycosis fungoides in children and adolescents: A clinicopathological study in Jordan, Middle East

Abstract

Background: Mycosis fungoides usually affects adults but rarely occurs in children and adolescents with a deceptive clinical picture that simulates more common skin diseases at this age; therefore, the diagnosis can be delayed. Objective: To determine the clinical and histopathological features in a group of patients who developed mycosis fungoides during childhood and adolescence to share experience and to highlight the early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides in this age group. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed, and the clinical and histopathological data for all children and adolescent patients with confirmed mycosis fungoides diagnosis for the last five years were retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed. Results: Seven patients were diagnosed with mycosis fungoides with an age ranging from 5 to 17 (mean age, 10) years, comprising five males and two females patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. Three clinical variants of mycosis fungoides were present in our cases: hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in four patients (57%), poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides in two (29%), and classical mycosis fungoides in one (14%). No more than one variant of mycosis fungoides was observed in any patient. Conclusion: Although mycosis fungoides rarely occurs in children and adolescents, sufficient clinical and histopathological features are required to make the diagnosis. Therefore, it should always be considered in our clinical differential diagnosis in any appropriate clinical setting. A skin biopsy should not be delayed. Study Design: Retrospective study.