title: Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: case reports and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides is a rare variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) that usually has a predilection for young individuals with dark complexion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim is to describe new cases of hypopigmented MF with confirmed T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article includes case reports and a literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three out of four hypopigmented MF patients had a positive TCR gene rearrangement. A fifth patient is reported who had hypopigmented mycosis fungoides and classical Pautrier microabscesses, for whom no TCR gene rearrangement analysis was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although hypopigmented MF has a predilection for dark-complexioned populations, it can also affect Caucasian patients. In challenging cases, polymerase chain reaction can be a useful method for detecting early cases of hypopigmented MF.
authors.affiliation: The Skin Oncology Program, Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Qari
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Demierre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell