LAUSR

BACKGROUND Data regarding Asian patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) are limited. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the clinical profile and long-term outcomes of patients with MF in Korea. METHODS A retrospective review of 223 patients with MF who followed up for more than 6 months or died of MF within 6 months was performed. RESULTS Approximately 96.4% and 3.6% of the patients had an early stage and advanced stage, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 44.8 years. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 47.0 months. Various subtypes were noted including mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris (21.5%), folliculotropic (8.5%), pityriasis lichenoides-like (6.7%), ichthyosiform (4.0%), lichenoid purpura-like (2.7%), and hypopigmented (2.2%) MF. Juvenile patients accounted for 16.6%. A higher skin T stage related to the less responses. The 10-year overall survival was 96.8% in early stage patients and 25.0% in advanced stage patients. General prognosis was favorable, while recurrence and subtype switching were seen in 29.4% and 2.7% of patients, respectively. LIMITATIONS Our patients may not represent all Korean patients with MF. CONCLUSION MF in Korean has a high proportion of variants with a younger age at onset and favorable prognosis. A high index of suspicion and skin biopsy are needed for early diagnosis.