Mycosis fungoides and its variations

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of Mycosis Fungoides (MF). Literature review: MF is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma, despite its rare incidence in the general population. It is more prevalent in men, black individuals, adults, and the elderly, and presents with heterogeneous manifestations, commonly characterized by three clinical phases: patch, plaque, and tumor stage. MF is suspected in cutaneous lesions refractory to target therapies or when there is polymorphic involvement in typical distribution (sun-protected areas). This pathology brings with it various differential diagnoses, such as infectious, oncological, and autoimmune skin diseases, requiring a thorough anamnesis and histopathological analysis for confirmation. Histopathological findings, in turn, depend on the disease stage at which the biopsy is performed, with epidermotropism being a characteristic hallmark of the disease. Treatment of this condition is guided by its staging, which takes into account disease extent, lymph node involvement, metastasis, and blood alterations. Final considerations: Despite representing a disease of low population incidence, MF should be recognized by the scientific community, considering its impact on individuals' quality of life when not identified early, as it shares differential diagnosis with more common dermatoses and requires a more e clinical and histopathological investigation.