Results of lymphography in early mycosis fungoides

Abstract

Lymphography was performed in 28 patients with mycosis fungoides. In 22 of the patients, the investigation took place prior to 2 months after the diagnosis was established, and in 7 of these lymphography was made before the histological verification of mycosis fungoides was possible. Five patients with widespread, persistent and severe atopic dermatitis served as controls. Eighteen patients with mycosis fungoides (64%) had abnormal lymphograms, while all 5 controls had normal lymphograms. Abnormal findings were diagnosed in 12 of 22 patients at the earliest time possible during the course of their disease and even found in 5 of 7 patients who only had premycotic lesions at the time of investigation. These results may have some bearing on therapy, suggesting that systemic treatment could possibly be introduced at a far earlier disease stage than is the custom at present.