Ultraviolet Light Therapy in Mycosis Fungoides

Abstract

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) represent the most common form (65%) of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. CTCL is a progressive, clonal, lymphoproliferative disorder of atypical T lymphocytes. Mycosis Fungoides represents the commonest form of the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, which is a monoclonal neoplastic disorder ofT-helper cell lineage. Malignant skin-homing T cells growing primarily in the skin give rise to various clinical patterns. In general these begin with flat lesions (macules and patches). Invasion of the epidermis is typically associated with the clinical changes of scaling and pruritus. As the cells proliferate, lesions become firmer and more varied in their surface and contour (plaques). The clinical progression of the disease then proceeds at variable rates by development of cutaneous nodules and tumors or erythroderma.

The diagnosis of CTCL still rests on having compatible clinical and histopathologic features. In difficult cases, a preliminary diagnosis may be supported by additional laboratory tests as immunophenotyping, flow cytometry and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis and others.