Mycosis Fungoides is a rare form of cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It generally affects the skin, but may progress internally over time. In the United states, approximately 1000 new cases of mycosis fungoides occur per year. It affects men twice as often as women, and is more common in black people than in whites. Mycosis fungoides can begin at any age, but the most common age is 50 years old. 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. Mycosis fungoides can occur at any age but it is most common in the 40-60 year old age group. Symptoms can include reddish plague-like tumors of scaly, thickened skin that may itch or spread and ulcerate.

These patches may resemble eczema or psoriasis and would be found on the back, arms, stomach, face, scalp or other parts of the body. Skin tumors phase - Red-violet raised lumps (nodules) appear and may be dome-shaped (like a mushroom) or be ulcerated. Itching (pruritus) is common, perhaps in 20% of patients, and is not universal. Mycosis fungoides can be treated in a variety of ways. If mycosis fungoides is in the early stage, treatments such as steroid creams, chemotherapy applied to the skin, or electron beam radiation may be used. A good skin care regime, with the regular use of moisturisers, will help to prevent dryness and keep the skin supple. Photochemotherapy or the photopheresis is a technique used in the important medical centers for the treatment of the fungoides of the micosis

Mycosis Fungoides Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. PUVA is a combination treatment.

2. Radiotherapy can be given to them using low voltage radiation.

3. Regular use of moisturisers, will help to prevent dryness and keep the skin supple.

4. Topical chemotherapy, e.g. nitrogen mustard or bischloroethylnitrosourea.

5. Vorinostat is a second-line drug for CTCL.

6. Application of organic (Manuka) honey to skin affected by erythorderma (red skin).