Posttransplantation course after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a patient with advanced mycosis fungoides—Balancing relapse and rejection

Abstract

AbstractTreatment of advanced cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) can be challenging. To date, the only potentially curative treatment option for advanced CTCL is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We report on a patient with mycosis fungoides who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to rapid progression of the disease. Eight months after transplantation, relapse as well as chronic graft‐versus‐host disease occurred. Therefore, we initiated different treatment modalities, including bexarotene, extracorporeal photopheresis, topical treatment as well as the Janus‐kinase‐inhibitor Ruxolitinib. Even though the patient experienced high morbidity due to the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 3 years after he is still alive and reports good health‐related quality of life. With this case, we aim to demonstrate that the posttransplant course can be difficult, balancing between relapse and graft‐versus‐host disease. Nevertheless, patients can benefit in terms of survival and their health‐related quality of life. Therefore, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be considered as a treatment option, especially for patients with advanced CTCL and poor prognosis.