CD4/CD8 dual-positive mycosis fungoides: A case report and literature review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Oct 16;99(42):e22786. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000022786.

Abstract

Rationale: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It appears as patches, plaques, and tumors depending on the stage of the disease, which presents a chronic progressive course. Compared to CD4/CD8 MF, CD4/CD8 dual-positive MF is an uncommon immune phenotype.

Patient concerns: A 36-year-old male patient presented with dryness and scales on his whole body.

Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with MF based on results of pathological examination, immunohistochemical staining, and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement test.

Interventions: The patient was advised to take an herbal medicine orally twice daily and apply a topical moisturizer after showering.

Outcomes: After treatment and follow-up, the patient's symptoms of dryness and scales improved and his condition stabilized.

Conclusions: While reviewing the literature, we found no previous reports on the treatment of dual-positive MF with Chinese medicine. In this report, we presented the first case of dual-positive MF successfully treated with Chinese medicine. The results suggest that oral ingestion of herbal medicine may be a feasible method for alleviating clinical symptoms of early stage MF. Therefore, the therapy should be explored for clinical use in the future.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mycosis Fungoides / immunology
  • Mycosis Fungoides / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*