ECCRINE GLAND INFILTRATION BY MYCOSIS-FUNGOIDES

After identifying prominent eccrine infiltration by atypical lymphocyt es in a biopsy of tumor stage mycosis fungoides (MF), we sought to det ermine the pattern of eccrine epithelial infiltration in MF. The frequ ency, intensity, and distribution of infiltration of eccrine gland str uctures, including acrosyringium, duct and coil epithelium, was studie d by examining 71 biopsy specimens from 42 patients with MF in which e ccrine structures were present. These were obtained from a retrospecti ve review of pathologic specimens from Duke University Medical Center from 1992 and 1993. At least focal eccrine infiltration was noted in 2 3 of the 71 biopsy specimens (32%). Immunohistochemical confirmation o f T-lymphocyte phenotype was performed in the 23 cases with positive r eaction to antibodies CD3 and CD45RO and negative reaction with CD20. Folliculosebaceous units were present in 22 of the 71 biopsy specimens and were at least focally involved by MF in 11 (50%) in this series. A control group of biopsy specimens of reactive dermatoses were charac terized by more superficial location of lymphocytes, with more spongio sis and epithelial degenerative changes. These findings further illust rate the epitheliotropic behavior of MF.