Bexarotene monotherapy for patient with refractory early stage mycosis fungoides

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a subtype of cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma and oftenly difficult to treat. We report a case of mycosis fungoides in which several lines of therapy were employed including both skin-directed and systemic treatment strategies with no clinical remission. This case highlights MF’s insidious onset. In this patient, the early stage of disease was marked by erythematous plaque and misdiagnosed as tinea corporis. The lack of symptomatic control led to biopsy of the lesion, which in turn precipitated the accurate diagnosis of MF. Several lines of treatment were initiated with unsatisfactory outcomes. Bexarotene therapy was started and good clinical and histological response was observed. We conclude bexarotene as salvage therapy is an efficacious therapeutic option for this patient with plaque mycosis fungoides and its safety profile is favorable for long-term use.