Tumor stage mycosis fungoides in a patient treated with long-term corticosteroids for asthma and atopic-like dermatitis.

An association between atopy and the Sézary syndrome has been recognized in some patients. Our case represents an association between adult-onset asthma and atopic-like dermatitis, markedly elevated IgE levels, and the development of tumor stage mycosis fungoides (MF) in a patient receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy. The chronic eczematous dermatitis may have represented evolving MF in which the specific diagnosis was delayed by treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids until advanced tumor stage disease. This case, in conjunction with prior reports, suggests that an atopic diathesis can be associated with both leukemic and nonleukemic forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.