New Study Reveals Rare Skin Cancer Linked to Increased Lymphoma Risks

Recent research conducted by a team from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital has unveiled alarming findings regarding the prognosis of patients diagnosed with rare skin cancers, specifically mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). Published in the British Journal of Dermatology on June 19, 2025, the study reveals that individuals afflicted with these conditions face a substantially elevated risk of mortality due to lymphoma and infections compared to the general population.

The study analyzed a cohort of over 600 patients diagnosed with MF and SS in Sweden between 2000 and 2019, comparing their outcomes with more than 6,000 age- and sex-matched individuals without these diseases. The findings indicate that patients with MF or SS have a 56% higher risk of dying from any cause, a staggering 180-fold increased risk of dying specifically from lymphoma, and almost three times the risk of succumbing to infections relative to the general populace. Notably, deaths from heart disease or other cancers were not found to be more prevalent in this group.

Hanna Brauner, a researcher at the Department of Medicine Solna at Karolinska Institutet and a dermatologist at Karolinska University Hospital, emphasized the critical nature of these findings, stating, "Lymphoma was the leading cause of death, particularly among patients with more severe disease. Our study also revealed that infections, while less frequent, contributed significantly to increased mortality."

The researchers identified patients with severe disease as those requiring hospital care or systemic treatment soon after diagnosis, finding that these individuals had a median survival of merely 4.5 years, starkly contrasted with 14.2 years for those with less severe forms of the disease. This disparity underscores the necessity for vigilant monitoring and early diagnosis.

Brauner further commented on the varied nature of the disease, asserting, "Our results illuminate the heterogeneity of these conditions. While patients with mild MF may enjoy prolonged survival, those with more severe manifestations require intensive care and ongoing support."

The study advocates for proactive management of infections, given that both the disease and its treatments may compromise the immune system, which is particularly crucial for enhancing patient outcomes.

This research was supported by several organizations, including the Swedish Society for Medical Research, the Swedish Cancer Foundation, and the Karolinska Institutet foundations. The full study, titled "Increased mortality due to lymphoma and infections in patients with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome: A Swedish nationwide, population-based cohort study," was authored by Lina U. Ivert, Sara Ekberg, Karin E. Smedby, and Hanna Brauner.

The implications of these findings are significant, highlighting the urgent need for improved diagnostic frameworks and treatment strategies for patients with rare skin cancers. As the medical community absorbs and responds to this research, it becomes increasingly clear that advancing care protocols and increasing awareness are essential in mitigating the risks associated with these rare but serious conditions.