ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a rare variant of mycosis fungoides with clinical peculiarities, refractoriness to conventional treatments, and worse prognosis when compared to classic mycosis fungoides. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of FMF patients in a single center in Brazil. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from patients with FMF who attended the Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic, University of São Paulo Medical School, between 1987 and 2013. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included (median age 46 years old at diagnosis; 20 male; 27 white). The median disease duration before diagnosis was 3 years. Regarding stage at diagnosis, 61% had advanced stage disease (≥IIb). Follicular papules were reported in 66% and alopecia in 59% of the cases. The most involved regions were limbs, followed by trunk and head. Pruritus was present in 81% of the patients. The median time of patients' follow-up was 38 months. At the last follow-up visit, 67% of the patients were alive with active disease, 27% deceased, and 6% were in complete remission. Four patients had large cell transformation. At the time of diagnosis, 25% of the patients showed eosinophilia. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study with partial unavailable data. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of our patients with FMF correlated with aspects previously described in the literature, which were at a more advanced stage at diagnosis and had a less favorable outcome. Pruritus is a very common complaint. Large cell transformation should be monitored as it is implicated in poor prognosis.
