Woringer-Kolopp disease.An epidermotropic variant of mycosis fungoides

Abstract

Woringer-Kolopp disease is characterized by the presence of a monomorphic, tumorous infiltrate in the epidermis. A light- and electron microscopic study, and cytophotometry, of one case were performed and the results are discussed. No explanation has been found for the epidermotropic character of this condition, although an intraepidermal origin of the tumor infiltrate seems improbable. The cytomorphologic characteristics of the tumor cells shows a striking analogy to the atypical cells in the Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides. These findings support the hypothesis that Woringer-Kolopp disease represents a clinical variant of mycosis fungoides and the Sezary syndrome.