Mycosis fungoides two decades after exposure to sulphur mustard: a follow-up of 1100 victims.

BACKGROUND: Sulphur mustard (SM) is an alkylating chemical warfare agent which causes acute and chronic injuries to the eyes, skin, lung and respiratory tract.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between SM poisoning and Mycosis fungoides (MF) as a late consequence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the medical files of 1100 Iranian veterans confirmed to have exposure to SM agent during the Iraq-Iran war of the 1980s were reviewed.

RESULTS: All 10 cases with MF were confirmed by clinical and histopathological examinations. The mean age of the studied subjects was 43.3 ± 9.8 (years). In comparison to MF incidence rate in Iranian general population (0.39/100 000 person-years), we found an incidence rate of 0.799/100 000 person-years for MF among those who had short-term exposure to SM. The most common sites for SM lesions were flexural and thin skin areas. The main limitation was the retrospective design.

CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the risk of MF in those exposed to SM may increase over time. Therefore, their follow-up is recommended.