Follicular mucinosis associated with early stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: successful treatment with interferon alpha-2b and acitretin.
BACKGROUND
Follicular mucinosis (FM) is a rare dermatosis characterized by mucin deposits in the pilosebaceous units. It is divided into a primary-benign type and a secondary type associated mostly with lymphomas. No standard effective therapy is available for the primary FM while in the secondary form treatment is aimed against the underlying disease.


METHODS
We report a case of secondary FM in which a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was detected 6 years after the initial eruption.


RESULTS
Complete remission was achieved with combination therapy of interferon alpha-2b at a dose of 6 million U subcutaneously three times a week, and acitretin 35 mg/day, for 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular clinical and histopathological evaluation is suggested for all patients with FM. For cases associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma the combination of interferon alpha and acitretin seems to be a good therapeutical approach.
Kontochristopoulos
G J
GJ
2nd Department of Dermatology, A Syngros Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Exadaktylou
D
D
Hatziolou
E
E
Tassidou
A
A
Zakopoulou
N
N
D017255:Acitretin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications*; D000507:Mucinosis, Follicular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017255:Acitretin