Mycosis Fungoides Increases Melanoma Risk

Patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) are at an increased risk for melanoma compared with patients with psoriasis and the general population, according to a study out of Israel published in Acta Dermato-Venereologica.

Researchers performed a retrospective study that compared the prevalence and risk of melanoma between patients with MF and patients with psoriasis attending tertiary cutaneous-lymphoma or psoriasis clinics between 2009 to 2018. In total, 982 patients with MF and 3165 patients with psoriasis were included in the study.

Upon analysis, melanoma was diagnosed in 47 patients with MF and in 23 patients with psoriasis. Results showed a hazard ratio of 6.3 (95% CI, 3.4-11.7; P<.0001) for a subsequent melanoma in patients with MF. Melanoma standardized incidence ratios were 17.5 (95% CI, 11.0-23.9; P<.0001) in patients with MF and 2.2 (95% CI, 0.6-3.8; P =.148) in patients with psoriasis. Narrowband UV-B was not a contributory factor.

“These findings add evidence that patients with MF have a significantly higher risk of melanoma, not only compared with the general population, but also compared with patients with psoriasis,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Sherman S, Kremer N, Dalal A, et al. Melanoma risk is increased in patients with mycosis fungoides compared with patients with psoriasis and the general population. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(19):adv00346. doi:10.2340/00015555-3704