Mycosis Fungoides

• the disease occurs twice as often in men than in women
• more typical in older age (between 55-60 years)
• 15 – 17 percent more common in North America and Asia than in Europe
  accounts for 39% of all skin lymphomas

Risk factors

Although the exact causes of the disease have not been clarified, certain factors can lead to the appearance of the disease:

• UV rays
• infections (Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, HIV)
• various occupational factors (irradiation, chemicals)

Plaque phase

Tumor phase

Clinical symptoms

Mycosis Fungoides is characterized by three main stages, several of which may exist at the same time:

• Patch phase – characterized by pink, scaly spots of various sizes, which can be localized or spread in areas of the skin that do not receive sunlight. Usually an early sign of the disease.
• Plaque phase – pinkish or brownish color, larger skin bump, with irregular edges and different involvement of the superficial skin layer.
• Tumor phase – a characteristic formation from 1 cm in size, may have arisen from the spot or plaque stage or formed immediately anew. Has a tendency to ulcerate. Growth rates vary greatly.

Diagnostics

In the early stages, diagnosis is complicated. Later, the patient’s survey and examination data, combining them with the response of the skin biopsy, are usually sufficient to diagnose the disease. Radiological examination methods are used to determine the spread of the disease.

For each patient, the doctor personally creates the most appropriate treatment plan according to the stage of the disease. Can be used:

• Local applied hormones, local chemotherapy, phototherapy, radiation therapy – in the early stage of the disease
• Retinoids, low-dose methotrexate and other drugs affecting the immune system, chemotherapy, biological/immunotherapy – in advanced stage or refractory patients
• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only fully curative treatment for advanced stage disease

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