Etiopathogenesis of Mycosis Fungoides

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides (MF), first described by Jean Louis Alibert in 1806, is the most common subtype of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. MF is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is characterized by malignant clonal T-lymphocytes infiltrating the skin. Although MF primarily affects the skin in the early stages, it can also involve the lymph nodes, blood, and internal organs in more advanced stages. Although the exact cause of MF remains unknown, research suggests that genetic, immunological, environmental factors, and microbial agents may play a role in its pathogenesis. The most widely accepted theory assumes that clonal T-cells arise as a result of antigenic stimulation in genetically predisposed individuals, suggesting that chronic inflammation is crucial to disease development. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of the factors contributing to the pathogenesis of MF. We collected data from PubMed searches using the combined terms cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, pathogenesis, etiology, etiopathogenesis and applying the filters Clinical Trial, Meta-Analysis, Randomized Controlled Trial, Review, Systematic Review without any date restriction.