title: Follicular mucinosis associated with early stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: successful treatment with interferon alpha-2b and acitretin.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Dermatology, A Syngros Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kontochristopoulos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Exadaktylou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hatziolou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tassidou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zakopoulou
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017255:Acitretin