Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2015, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (4): 275-277.

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Assessment of efficacy of narrow-band ultraviolet B for the treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides

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  • Received:2014-06-06 Revised:2014-11-27 Online:2015-04-15 Published:2015-03-27

Abstract:

Gu Junying, Chen Minghua*. *Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China Corresponding author: Chen Minghua, Email: cmh626@hotmail.com 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the efficacy of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) for the treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 98 patients with early-stage MF treated with NB-UVB from January 2003 to December 2013. The rate of and time to recurrence of MF were assessed, and long-term side effects were evaluated in these patients. Results Among 52 patients achieving complete remission, the median number of sessions of NB-UVB radiation was 30 (range, 18 - 87), the median cumulative radiation dose was 24.16 J/cm2 (range, 9.11 - 108.86 J/cm2), and the median follow-up duration was 41 months (range, 11 - 90 months). Relapse occurred in 14 (26.9%) patients with the median time to recurrence being 8.2 months (range, 3 - 60 months). The patients suffering from relapse achieved complete remission after treatment with NB-UVB again. Adverse reactions mainly included skin erythema and itching at the early stage of radiation, as well as temporary pigmentation after radiation. Cutaneous carcinoma occurred in none of these patients during 11 - 90 months of follow-up. Conclusions NB-UVB phototherapy appeared to be effective for the treatment of early-stage MF, and no cutaneous carcinoma occurred in these patients during the follow-up. Although MF may relapse in some cases, repeated NB-UVB phototherapy is still effective.