Correlation between mycosis fungoides and pregnancy

Saudi Med J. 2016 Sep;37(9):968-72. doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.9.15838.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of pregnancy on the natural course of Mycosis fungoides (MF) and compare the obtained results with previous reports.

Methods: The medical records of 140 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) treated at the University Hospital of Isfahan (the academic referral center for CTCL) Isfahan, Iran. Between 2000 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed to retrieve all cases of pregnancy during the course of MF disease.

Results: A total of 8 pregnancies were recorded. The median age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 26.7 (range 21-30 years) and pregnancy 29.4 (range 27-31 years). Most of patients had early-stage MF (Ia and Ib). All patients experienced aggravation of disease during pregnancy or immediately postpartum. Mycosis fungoides did not cause any complications during pregnancy.

Conclusion: Pregnancy appears to have a negative impact on the course of MF, probably due to immune system deteriorations during the pregnancy. Further studies are needed to clarify the interplay between pregnancy and MF.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies