Retrospective 5‐year review of 131 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome seen at the National Skin Centre, Singapore

Abstract

A total of 131 new cases of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome were diagnosed clinically and histopathologically at our centre over a 5-year period. There were 87 males and 44 females with a mean age of 36.3 years (range 3-87 years) and no racial predilection. Of the 62 patients (47.3%) with classical mycosis fungoides, the majority were male (male : female = 4.2:1). There was one patient with Sézary syndrome. Patients aged older than 50 years were more likely to present with a longer duration of symptoms and advanced disease. In contrast to classical mycosis fungoides, the 47 patients diagnosed with hypopigmented mycosis fungoides had early stage disease, were younger, and no gender predilection was noted. The mean duration of follow up was 19.7 months (range 0.2-54.8 months). Complete remission was achieved in 24.7% and 53.8% of patients followed up at 1 and 3 years, respectively, using skin-directed and systemic treatment modalities appropriate for the stage of disease. There were five patients with progressive disease and three patients with advanced disease who died from disease-related complications. The most significant prognostic factors for 1-year and 3-year outcomes were the patient's duration of symptoms and stage of disease at presentation.