Focal contact sensitivity to nitrogen mustard in lesions of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)
Shelley, W.B.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 61(2): 161-164
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5555 PMID: 6165197 Document Number: 182208
A report is presented on a patient with mycosis fungoides who developed a remarkable focal contact sensitivity to topically applied nitrogen mustard in aqueous solution (1/5000). Although the nitrogen mustard was applied over the entire skin surface, repeated challenge demonstrated that the eczematous contact dermatitis reaction was limited precisely to the areas of clinically identifiable mycosis fungoides. The surrounding normal skin showed no response. The basis for the surprising focal induction and localization of contact dermatitis is not known but might reflect the presence of a clone of malignant T-lymphocytes which became specifically sensitized to the nitrogen mustard.