Mycosis Fungoides
I. Definition:
Mycosis fungoides is a type of lymphoma. Lymphomas are blood tumors. In mycosis fungoides the blood lymphoma stays mostly in the skin. This results in a rash. Most people who have mycosis fungoides will have the rash over many years. It is very difficult to determine if someone has mycosis fungoides, usually several biopsies are required over a number of years before the diagnosis can be made.
II. Causes:
· The cause of mycosis fungoides is unknown.
III. Prognosis:
· Must people who have mycosis fungoides have it for years. It can cause death but this is unusual. Most people who have this condition live a normal life span and die of something else. In a study from Stanford University, fewer than 10% of the patients with mycosis fungoides progressed to more advanced stages and only a few died of this disease.
IV. Treatment:
· Treatment is temporarily effective, and may need to be continued for quite a while. There is no cure for mycosis fungoides.
· Ultraviolet light is one of the best treatments. This involves coming to the office two to three times a week for ten to fifteen minutes. A typical course of treatment is 1-2 months with prolonged remissions usually achieved.
· Mild mycosis fungoides can be treated effectively with cortisone ointments.
· Nitrogen mustard, a chemotherapy drug, is sometimes applied to the skin to control mycosis fungoides.
Mycosis fungoides is a type of lymphoma. Lymphomas are blood tumors. In mycosis fungoides the blood lymphoma stays mostly in the skin. This results in a rash. Most people who have mycosis fungoides will have the rash over many years. It is very difficult to determine if someone has mycosis fungoides, usually several biopsies are required over a number of years before the diagnosis can be made.
II. Causes:
· The cause of mycosis fungoides is unknown.
III. Prognosis:
· Must people who have mycosis fungoides have it for years. It can cause death but this is unusual. Most people who have this condition live a normal life span and die of something else. In a study from Stanford University, fewer than 10% of the patients with mycosis fungoides progressed to more advanced stages and only a few died of this disease.
IV. Treatment:
· Treatment is temporarily effective, and may need to be continued for quite a while. There is no cure for mycosis fungoides.
· Ultraviolet light is one of the best treatments. This involves coming to the office two to three times a week for ten to fifteen minutes. A typical course of treatment is 1-2 months with prolonged remissions usually achieved.
· Mild mycosis fungoides can be treated effectively with cortisone ointments.
· Nitrogen mustard, a chemotherapy drug, is sometimes applied to the skin to control mycosis fungoides.