TY - JOUR
T1 - Association of Flame-Retardant Clothing With Mycosis Fungoides
T2 - A Retrospective Analysis
AU - Park, Katherine E.
AU - Ramachandran, Vignesh
AU - Tran, Jessica
AU - Joshi, Tejas P.
AU - Garg, Naveen
AU - Duvic, Madeleine
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©2022 Park KE et al.
PY - 2022/4/1
Y1 - 2022/4/1
N2 - Introduction: Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most prevalent form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), has been associated with a variety of environmental and occupational exposures. Flame-retardant clothing (FRC), in contrast to flame-resistant clothing, is chemically treated and may constitute a previously unrecognized occupational hazard. Objectives: To report an association between FRC and MF. Methods: After encountering several young male patients whose onset of MF coincided with the occupational use of FRC and occupation as fire fighters, we did a retrospective search. Additional biopsy proven MF patients with use of FRC were identified by the EPIC electronic medical record using the search terms “CTCL, mycosis fungoides, flame, and flame-retardant.” Results: Eight MF patients, all males, ranging in age from 31 years to 64 years (median age, 35 years) with exposure to FRC were identified. MF remission was noted in three patients who discontinued FRC use and in one patient who used a cotton undershirt barrier, while disease persistence was noted in one patient who continued to use FRC. Conclusions: FRC appears to be associated with development of MF through chronic antigen stimulation. Use of FRC is an occupational hazard for fire fighters. Any patient whose MF coincides with use of FRC should avoid further exposure through avoidance or switching to clothing made from inherently flame-resistant fibers.
AB - Introduction: Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most prevalent form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), has been associated with a variety of environmental and occupational exposures. Flame-retardant clothing (FRC), in contrast to flame-resistant clothing, is chemically treated and may constitute a previously unrecognized occupational hazard. Objectives: To report an association between FRC and MF. Methods: After encountering several young male patients whose onset of MF coincided with the occupational use of FRC and occupation as fire fighters, we did a retrospective search. Additional biopsy proven MF patients with use of FRC were identified by the EPIC electronic medical record using the search terms “CTCL, mycosis fungoides, flame, and flame-retardant.” Results: Eight MF patients, all males, ranging in age from 31 years to 64 years (median age, 35 years) with exposure to FRC were identified. MF remission was noted in three patients who discontinued FRC use and in one patient who used a cotton undershirt barrier, while disease persistence was noted in one patient who continued to use FRC. Conclusions: FRC appears to be associated with development of MF through chronic antigen stimulation. Use of FRC is an occupational hazard for fire fighters. Any patient whose MF coincides with use of FRC should avoid further exposure through avoidance or switching to clothing made from inherently flame-resistant fibers.
KW - cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
KW - flame-retardant chemicals
KW - flame-retardant clothing
KW - mycosis fungoides
KW - occupational-related exposure
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U2 - 10.5826/dpc.1202a91
DO - 10.5826/dpc.1202a91
M3 - Article
C2 - 35646447
AN - SCOPUS:85132595635
SN - 2160-9381
VL - 12
JO - Dermatology Practical and Conceptual
JF - Dermatology Practical and Conceptual
IS - 2
M1 - e2022091
ER -