Profile and outcome of childhood mycosis fungoides in Singapore

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma . It usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly persons, although several re ports have described its occurrence in young children. The aim of this stud y was to review the profile and outcome of childhood MF in Singapore from 1 989 to 1998, A total of nine patients (six males and three females) were di agnosed with MF before the age of 21 years. There were four Chinese, four M alay, and one Indian. The age at the time of histologic diagnosis ranged fr om 6 to 20 years (mean 14.3 years). Eight of the nine patients presented wi th hypopigmented patches and plaques. According to TNM staging, three were in stage 1A and six in stage 1B, The treatment modalities included psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) (n = 5), UVB (n = 2), and potent topical steroid s (n = 2), We found that PUVA induced a faster clinical remission, but main tenance PUVA was required to prolong the relapse-free interval. This study also highlighted the need to consider MF in the differential diagnosis of h ypopigmented dermatoses in dark-skinned individuals, especially if they occ ur on the buttocks.