Follicular mycosis fungoides: presentation of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Follicular mycosis fungoides is a rare variant of mycosis fungoides (MF). Structural-wise there are several acneiform lesions made up of comedones, cysts and hyperkeratosis. The main histological finding is atypical lymphocytic infiltration around follicular structures, without epidermotropism. The association with follicular mucinosis is widely discussed in the literature. We report a case of follicular (MF) and review the cases published to date.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: Clinicopathological features and outcome in a series of 20 cases

“…This presentation has already been identified in previous reports and has been considered highly specific for what was formerly called ''pilotropic MF.'' [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In our experience, this acneiform clinical pattern is often associated with extensive areas of alopecia. 13 Other important observations in folliculotropic MF are the occasional presence of peculiar lesions such as excoriated nodules, xanthomatous changes, or pustules, which are very uncommonly found in conventional MF forms.…”

Clinicopathological spectrum of mycosis fungoides

“…Follicular MF has been described in the literature under various designations, including folliculotropic MF, pilotropic MF, folliculocentric MF, MF‐associated follicular mucinosis 39–50 . Some authorities believe that the latter should be distinguished from follicular MF.…”

Follicular Mycosis Fungoides, a Distinct Disease Entity With or Without Associated Follicular Mucinosis

“…17,21,22 In the present study, 3 patients with 4-to 7-year histories of classic epidermotropic MF developing skin tumors with the histologic features of follicular MF were excluded because such cases show the clinical behavior of classic MF developing tumor-stage disease.…”

“…Histologically, perifollicular infiltrates are present showing marked folliculotropism, but there is generally no epidermotropism or follicular mucinosis. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Evaluation of published reports of "follicular MF" demonstrates considerable clinical heterogeneity and suggests that this term has been used for the diagnoses of at least 3 different groups of patients.…”