Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma associated with follicular mucinosis

J Dermatol. 2009 Dec;36(12):638-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2009.00722.x.

Abstract

Follicular mucinosis (alopecia mucinosa) is often associated with malignancies including mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, but not adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL). We report a 49-year-old male patient who had pruritic follicular papules and erythemas clinically, and follicular and perifollicular infiltrates and follicular mucin deposition histopathologically. The patient showed 11% of flower-shaped atypical lymphocytes in blood examination and positive human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 antibody in serology, consistent with the chronic type of ATLL. This case seems to be a very rare association of follicular mucinosis and chronic ATLL, suggesting that malignant T cells may have a feature of folliculotropism as well as epidermotropism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / complications*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / pathology
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucinosis, Follicular / complications*
  • Mucinosis, Follicular / pathology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral