Mycosis fungoides. Detection of OKT6+ cells by cytofluorographic analysis in one case.

An 86-year-old woman had a subjective history of pruritus and intermittent fever. The clinical diagnosis of mycosis fungoides was confirmed by cutaneous and lymph node biopsies. Immunohistochemical, cytofluorographic, and ultrastructural analysis was performed. According to immunohistochemical findings the lymphoid cells infiltrating the skin and lymph nodes were phenotypically T-helper cells. Cytofluorographic and ultrastructural analysis of the peripheral blood detected a small number of cerebriform lymphoid cells. By immunohistochemistry, these cells showed the same phenotype that was found in the skin and lymph nodes. OKT6+ cells, which are not usually present, were also found in the peripheral blood. These findings may suggest a functional relationship between the skin and the lymphoid system.