Oral mucosal involvement in mycosis fungoides: A case report

Abstract

Oral mucosal involvement in mycosis fungoides (MF) is rare and usually heralds a poor prognosis. We present the case of a 73-year-old man whose first manifestations were macrocheilitis and oral mucosal lesions: including erosions, leukoplakia, and a scrotal-like tongue, associated with dysphagia, occurring several months before cutaneous involvement. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy and immunohistochemistry (CD3⁺, CD5⁺, CD7⁺, CD4⁻, CD8⁻). Systemic evaluation revealed pulmonary involvement. The patient was referred to hematology and treated with chemotherapy, with initial clinical and radiological improvement. Unfortunately, the disease course was fatal after 18 months from onset and 8 months from diagnosis. Oral involvement in MF remains exceptionally rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature, typically affecting the tongue and palate, and is associated with poor outcomes, with a median survival of about one year after oral lesions appear