CD4/CD8 dual-positive mycosis fungoides: a previously unrecognized variant

Am J Dermatopathol. 2012 May;34(3):e37-9. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e31823e25bb.

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a primary cutaneous lymphoma characterized by atypical T-lymphocytes that usually presents as patches and plaques on photoprotected areas of the body, such as the groin and buttocks. Classically, the atypical lymphocytes in MF are CD3/CD4 positive with loss of CD7 and less often loss of CD5. In a minority of cases, the atypical infiltrate is CD8 positive. We report a case of biopsy-proven MF in an elderly woman who presented with sclerodermoid lesions on her abdomen and thigh. Immunohistochemical studies revealed coexpression of CD4 and CD8 in a subset of atypical T-lymphocytes, and this was confirmed with flow cytometry. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a CD4/CD8 dual-positive MF.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Mycosis Fungoides / immunology
  • Mycosis Fungoides / pathology*
  • Mycosis Fungoides / therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome