Case Series
Mycosis Fungoides: Analysis of Ophthalmologic Findings in
a Series of Cases
Carina G. Colossi,
1
Juliano Mondadori,
2
Pedro K. M. Barreto,
2
Felipe M. Valença,
2
Rodrigo Duquia,
2
and Manuel A. P. Vilela
1,2
1
Institute of Cardiology/University Cardiology Foundation and Post-Graduation Program,
Ivo Corrˆ ea-Meyer Institute of Ophthalmology, Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil
2
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil
Correspondence should be addressed to Manuel A. P. Vilela; mapvilela@gmail.com
Received 12 November 2018; Accepted 8 January 2019; Published 20 January 2019
Academic Editor: Alireza Firooz
Copyright © 2019 Carina G. Colossi et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Background. Ophthalmic fndings in mycosis fungoides (MF) can be highly variable. It seems that the prevalence of ophthalmic
fndings could be much more common than previously assumed. Objective. To present case series examined in the last 12
months, together with a literature review. Methods. Symptomatic patients with biopsy-proven mycosis fungoides were examined
ophthalmologically in a 12-month period. Te medical records of afected patients were reviewed. Results. Eight patients were
examined. Of these, 75% were male, all were Caucasian, and average age was 58.2 years. Blepharitis (50.0%), thickened eyelids
(37.5%), and faking (25.0%) were the most prevalent fndings. Conclusion. Incidence of MF afecting the eyes and surrounding
structures may be greater than estimated. Early case management ofers means to reduce difculties experienced with later
diagnosis. Regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist is justifed, including that of asymptomatic cases.
1. Introduction
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare primary T-cell cutaneous
lymphoma. Its annual estimated incidence is 6.4-9.6 cases per
one million inhabitants in the USA [1–3]. Clinical diagnosis
is usually difcult, especially at early stages. Diagnosis ofen
requires multiple biopsies and is commonly performed quite
late, given its similarities with other conditions and the
scarcity of typical clinical or histopathologic signs [2–5].
Blotches or faking erythematous plaques are usually the
initial manifestation, making the condition similar to other
skin disorders such as eczemas, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis,
and pityriasis lichenoides. In the next stage infltrative lesions
appear as the disease progresses. Following this, tumorous
lesions appear and lymph nodes and other organs are afected.
It is a disease mostly afecting White adults. As a rule the
disease is indolent and controllable. Available treatment is
for the most part palliative, although it is free from risks
and serious side efects and improves long-term control
and survival [1–5]. Bone marrow transplant is the only
treatment that cures the disease but is rarely adopted [6,
7].
MF involving the eyes and their surrounding structures
is considered to be rare (2% of afected cases) and is probably
underestimated owing to difculties in diagnosing it in the
early stages [1]. Only three sizeable series can be found
in the accounts available in the literature. Among the 30
patients described by Stenson & Ramsay [8], 36.7% had
ophthalmological changes and eyelid tumours were the most
common fnding (26.7%). Leib et al. [9] described 17 cases and
eyelids were the most frequently afected region by blepharitis
or ectropion. Cook et al. [10] assessed 210 cases, whereby the
most prevalent condition was ectropion (40.4%).
Our aim is to present case series examined over the last
12 months, to review the literature, updating manifestation
in the eyes and their surrounding structures, as well as
possibilities for case management.
Hindawi
Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine
Volume 2019, Article ID 2380598, 4 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2380598