Milia in regressing plaques of mycosis fungoides: provoked by topical nitrogen mustard or not?

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 43; no. 12; pp. 953 - 956
• Main Authors: Kalayciyan, Aylin, Oguz, Oya, Demirkesen, Cuyan, Serdaroglu, Server, Kotogyan, Agop
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-12-2004; Blackwell Science; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Epidermal Cyst - etiology; Epidermal Cyst - pathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Mechlorethamine - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mucinosis, Follicular - etiology; Mucinosis, Follicular - pathology; Mycosis Fungoides - drug therapy; Photochemotherapy; Remission Induction; Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy; Treatment Outcome; Skin disease; Cutaneous hematologic disease; Dermatology; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Nitrogen mustard; Mycosis fungoides; Malignant hemopathy; Non Hodgkin lymphoma; Milia en plaque; Peripheral T cell lymphoma
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.01944.x

Objective  To report three cases of mycosis fungoides with milia formation in the regressing lesions.
Patients and setting  Dermatology clinic of a university hospital (referral center). Three patients with mycosis fungoides with body surface involvement of 10% in one case (stage IIb) and exceeding 30% in two cases (stages IIb and III). All patients were treated with photochemotherapy and topical nitrogen mustard ointment in a concentration of 0.01%. After approximately 3 months multiple milia erupted on regressing plaques.
Results  The presence of milia was evident and was confirmed by histopathology. Regression of mycosis fungoides was noted in these plaques both clinically and in comparison with the pretreatment histologic appearance. Two of the patients showed a histological picture of follicular mucinosis.
Conclusions  We do not know the significance of milia in mycosis fungoides (MF). However, we suggest that follicular rupture or a degenerative process might result in milia formation.