Mycosis Fungoides in Elderly Adults: A Diagnostic Challenge
April 2014
in “
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
”
TLDR Diagnosing mycosis fungoides, a rare skin cancer, is difficult in elderly adults and requires careful examination to avoid mistaking it for less serious skin conditions.
A 73-year-old Chinese woman experienced over 10 years of scalp itchiness, redness, and hair loss, initially misdiagnosed as psoriasis. Her condition worsened, developing a breast nodule and erythematous patches. Biopsies eventually confirmed mycosis fungoides (MF), a rare skin lymphoma. Despite initial improvement with alemtuzumab, she relapsed and responded well to chemotherapy. This case highlighted the diagnostic challenges of MF, especially in elderly adults, and underscored the importance of thorough examination and high clinical suspicion for serious conditions. The prognosis for MF is poorer in older adults and advanced stages, necessitating systemic therapy.
