CD8+ mycosis fungoides with esophageal involvement: A case report

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is characterized clinically by an indolent course with slow progression. MF is limited to the skin with widespread distribution, however, extracutaneous involvement of MF occurs during the advanced stages of the disease. Esophageal involvement of MF is a rare event. In the present study, we describe the first documented case of CD8+ MF with esophageal involvement that was endoscopically diagnosed antemortem. A 70-year-old male with a 15-year history of MF presented with difficulty in swallowing. Endoscopic examination revealed a tumorous lesion with ulceration in all regions of the esophagus. Esophagus biopsy demonstrated atypical lymphocytic infiltrates with ulceration. Immunohistochemically, these atypical lymphocytes were positive for CD3, CD8 and cytotoxic granules. Therefore, a diagnosis of CD8+ MF involving the esophagus was made. Extracutaneous involvement of the esophagus in MF is extremely rare and the majority of previously reported cases have been diagnosed postmortem. Only two cases of MF with esophageal involvement endoscopically diagnosed antemortem have been previously reported and this is the first documented case of CD8+ MF with esophageal involvement diagnosed by this method. Early detection of extracutaneous involvement of MF is important for accurate treatment and endoscopic examination is a useful tool for detection of this pathology.