Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: 2019 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management

Am J Hematol. 2019 Sep;94(9):1027-1041. doi: 10.1002/ajh.25577. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Abstract

Disease overview: Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogenous group of T-cell neoplasms involving the skin, the majority of which may be classified as Mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS).

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of MF or SS requires the integration of clinical and histopathologic data.

Risk-adapted therapy: TNMB (tumor, node, metastasis, blood) staging remains the most important prognostic factor in MF/SS and forms the basis for a "risk-adapted," multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. For patients with disease limited to the skin, skin-directed therapies are preferred, as both disease-specific and overall survival for these patients is favorable. In contrast, patients with advanced-stage disease with significant nodal, visceral or blood involvement are generally approached with systemic therapies. These include biologic-response modifiers, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, or antibody-based strategies, in an escalating fashion. In highly-selected patients, allogeneic stem-cell transplantation may be considered, as this may be curative in some patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allografts
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / diagnosis
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / pathology
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / therapy
  • Sezary Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Sezary Syndrome* / pathology
  • Sezary Syndrome* / therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors