Epidemiology

The incidence of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) has been reported as <10 per 100,000 population globally.[3]​ However, as most are low-grade malignancies with long-term survival, the prevalence of CTCL is up to 10 times higher.[3]

Approximately 70% of primary cutaneous lymphomas are of T-cell origin, of which the majority are mycosis fungoides (MF) and its variant Sézary syndrome (SS).[1][4][5]

Evidence suggests that the incidence of MF and SS does not vary between regions. MF and SS are somewhat more common in males, with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1.[3] Age of presentation is typically 50-60 years for early stage disease, and 60-70 years for advanced disease.[3] Approximately 20% of patients are diagnosed with CTCL in the 25-49 age group, with the same male preponderance.[4][6]​​​​​

People of non-white heritage may present with CTCL earlier, and there may be higher incidence rates of MF in Asian populations.[3] Some data have demonstrated that the incidence of CTCL is higher among African-Americans when compared with white Americans and other racial groups; MF is twice as common among black Americans compared with white Americans; and that SS appears to be more common among white Americans.[7][8][9][10]

The incidence of early-stage MF has been reported as 0.26 per 100,000 in the UK, and 0.38 per 100,000 in the US based on data from SEER, the prevalence was 4.8 per 100,000, and 6.6 per 100,000, respectively.[11]

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