title: Selected inflammatory imitators of mycosis fungoides: histologic features and utility of ancillary studies.
abstract: Mycosis fungoides is the most common primary cutaneous lymphoma; however, it remains a significant diagnostic challenge, in part because of the overlap with several inflammatory dermatoses. Despite advances in immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics, false-positive, false-negative, and indeterminate diagnoses are not uncommon. In most cases, the overall balance of morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features must be considered carefully because there are few sensitive and specific clues to the diagnosis. Moreover, an appropriate clinical presentation is essential to the diagnosis and helps to favor or exclude inflammatory/reactive processes. Herein, we discuss 3 important inflammatory dermatoses that may closely simulate mycosis fungoides, and we review the use of ancillary studies in these challenging cases.
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Pathology (Drs Arps, Chen, Fullen, and Hristov) and Dermatology (Drs Fullen and Hristov), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Arps
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Fullen
authors.forename: Alexandra C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hristov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010688:Phimosis / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology