Early mycosis fungoides: Can the diagnosis be made reliably?

The diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides is often regarded as difficult or impossible due to the lack of clear-cut histopathologic criteria. Many auth ors have published observations of histologic features seen in biopsies of patients with mycosis fungoides and have offered parameters that may be hel pful in diagnosis. In the study, undertaken by members of the EORTC Cutaneo us Lymphoma Study Group, the proposed histologic features are tested for se nsitivity and specificity. This commentary discusses some of the historical issues and the value of the EORTC study pertaining to the diagnosis of ear ly mycosis fungoides.