Healthcare Disparities in the Management of Indolent Mycosis Fungoides

Mycosis fungoides represents the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, clinically manifested with evolving skin lesions, including patches, plaques, tumors, and erythroderma. Early diagnosis remains difficult to establish because it mimics several benign skin conditions, but maintaining a high index of suspicion for the disease is essential in preventing the progression of a potentially fatal disease. We report the case of a 69-year-old female who presented in our dermatology clinic in 2018 with scaly, indurated, itchy erythematous-violaceus patches and plaques, and tumors disseminated throughout the skin evolving for nine years. Skin biopsy supplemented with immunohistochemical staining established the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. Due to the equivocal clinical presentation and the lack of extracutaneous manifestations, the patient received conventional therapy according to the stage of the disease. The rapidly progressive evolution of the cutaneous lesions in the last year of the disease determined the patient’s death despite instituting systemic chemotherapy. Patient follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach are essential to diagnose and manage this disease in its early stages. This will prevent the progression to a life-threatening malignancy and the use of immunosuppressive therapy, which can cause serious side effects.