Mycosis Fungoides - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Mycosis Fungoides, is a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by patches, plaques, and tumors. It is also known as cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTLC), which affects the skin. These are a type of lymphoma (tumors of the blood). It is a rare illness, with approximately 1 new case for 1 million in the United States. The males in its mid to adulthood been slow are affected generally by this. Propensity has one so that lesions occurs in the trunk, thighs, and the chests lowest in the women. In delayed periods of training more of the illness, the dissemination is common. In fungoides of the mycosis lymphoma of the blood remains in the biggest part 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.

A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that first appears on the skin and can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs such as the spleen, liver, or lungs. The disease is typically slowly progressive and chronic. In individuals with mycosis fungoides, the skin becomes infiltrated with plaques and nodules that are composed of lymphocytes. In advanced cases, ulcerated tumors and infiltration of lymph nodes by diseased cells may occur. The disorder may spread to other parts of the body including the gastrointestinal system, liver, spleen, or brain. Mycosis Fungoides was first described in 1806 by French dermatologist Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert . The name mycosis fungoides is somewhat confusing because it sounds, to the uninitiated, like a type of fungal infection. In reality, mycosis fungoides is unrelated to fungus and the fungoides portion derives from a patient with a severe case whom Alibert described as having mushroom-like skin tumors.

Causes of Mycosis Fungoides

Common Causes of Mycosis-Fungoides :

• The cause of mycosis fungoides is unknown.
• Lymphoma .

Symptoms of Mycosis Fungoides

Signs and symptoms of Mycosis-Fungoides may include :

• Skin ulcers.
• Red scaly skin rash.
• Shoulder skin rash.
• Itchy rash.
• Buttock skin rash.

Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides

• The steroid creams or ointments are useful to relieve the itching that may occur. Steroids are safe to use.
• Ultraviolet light (PUVA) will often help control the condition.
• Photochemotherapy or photopheresis is a technique used at major medical centers for the treatment of mycosis fungoides.
• Mild mycosis fungoides can be treated effectively with cortisone ointments .
• A chemotherapy drug, is sometimes applied to the skin to control mycosis fungoides.
• Oral or injected chemotherapy are also beneficial.