Mycosis fungoides staged by (18)F-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography: Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION: Mycosis fungoides is a kind of malignant lymphoma arising from T cells, but primarily occurs in skin, and it is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma but the most common type of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Because of unknown etiology and mechanism, and lack of typical clinical and histophysiological manifestations, the final diagnosis of MF is currently dependent on pathology and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, tumor staging is very important. Different approaches would be taken according to varying degrees of cutaneous and extracutaneous lesions. Computed tomography (CT) scan has been chosen to stage tumors customarily. However, CT could only provide morphological information and analyze lymphadenopathy by the size criteria. (18)F-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) could provide morphological information and metabolic conditions simultaneously, which is helpful to locate and stage lesion. CONCLUSION: (18)F-flurodeoxyglucose PET/CT could identify cutaneous and extracutaneous lesions in patients with MF. It could provide the range of lesions and biopsy target.