Clinicoprognostic implications of head and neck involvement by mycosis fungoides: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: The clinicoprognostic implications of head and neck involvement of mycosis fungoides (MF) are poorly understood.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of head and neck involvement on the clinicoprognostic features of MF.

Methods: The clinical features and survival outcomes of patients with MF in a Korean academic medical center database were retrospectively evaluated according to the presence of head and neck involvement at diagnosis.

Findings: Cases of MF with (group A, n = 39) and without (group B, n = 85) head and neck involvement at diagnosis were identified. Advanced-stage disease (stages IIB-IVB) was more common in group A (43.6%) than in group B (5.9%) (P < .001). MF progression, extracutaneous dissemination, and large-cell transformation more commonly occurred in group A than in group B. The 10-year overall survival rate was worse in group A (53.4%) compared with group B (81.6%) (P < .001). Head and neck involvement at diagnosis was associated with poor prognosis in early-stage MF (stages IA-IIA) and was independently associated with worse progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 24.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-267.6; P = .009).

Limitations: A single center, retrospective design.

Conclusion: Head and neck involvement of MF was associated with a poor prognosis.