title: Antinuclear antibody seropositivity in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We attempted to determine the frequency and clinical relevance of antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing and positive ANA test results in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart and computer record review was conducted to determine the frequency of ANA testing in CTCL patients and the rate of seropositivity. Patients with a positive ANA were further examined to define possible explanations of the positive test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 381 patients with CTCL, 66 (17%) had ANA tests; 8 of these (12.1%) were found to have an ANA titer greater than or equal to 1:40. Of patients with a positive ANA test, one was found to have chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus histologically and clinically mimicking CTCL. Others were found to have a comorbid connective tissue disorder, some had apparent drug-induced antinuclear antibodies, and some had no identifiable reason for a positive ANA test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ANA seropositivity does not appear to be increased in CTCL patients, and the ANA test remains a useful screening tool for differentiating between CTCL and connective tissue disorders.
authors.affiliation: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talpur
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duvic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear