Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMycosis Fungoides SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Mycosis Fungoides Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Mycosis Fungoidesis a type of T-celllymphoma(cancer of the lymph system) that affects the skin. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that are responsible for makingantibodiesthat help fight infection. In mycosis fungoides, these T-cells become cancerous and cause the skin to develop lesions. This condition is often present for many years and slowly progresses over time.
Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. There are about 3.6 cases per 1 million people diagnosed in the United States each year.
This article will review the symptoms and causes of mycosis fungoides, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Symptoms of mycosis fungoides can differ as the disease progresses. It can take many years, if not decades, for the symptoms and skin changes to move through various stages. Mycosis fungoides is most often diagnosed in adulthood, although it is possible that it can develop during childhood.
Stage 1
In the first stage, the first symptom is often itching or pain in the affected area. There may also be red patches present across the trunk or on the extremities. Patches are flat, not raised areas of skin. Oftentimes this initial stage is misdiagnosed as another skin disorder, such aseczemaorpsoriasis—especially in children.
Stage 2
This is theplaquestage. During this stage, thickened skin plaques form on the skin, often in an oval shape. They may develop individually but begin to grow into each other.
Stage 3
This is the tumor stage. In this stage, larger, ulcerated nodules develop that can potentially be large in size. They may be red-brown or even bluish in color.
Stage 4
In this stage, cancer cells spread throughout the body. Symptoms noted during this stage can include:
Mycosis Fungoides vs. Sézary Syndrome
There is another type of cancer very closely related to mycosis fungoides called Sézary syndrome. In this other, aggressive type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, in addition to the skin being affected with cancerous T-cells, the cancerous cells are also present in the lymph nodes and the blood.
There are some findings to suggest that certain HLA genes (genes that help the immune system tell the difference between cells made in the body and foreign cells) may play a role in developing mycosis fungoides.
In the initial stages of the disease, it may be difficult for a diagnosis of mycosis fungoides to be made, as it often resembles other, mostly benign (noncancerous) skin disorders. Some of these skin conditions may include:
A physical skin exam is important to document the location and appearance of all skin lesions. For a final diagnosis, however, a skin biopsy must be done.
During a skin biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed from a skin lesion and inspected under a microscope to look for cancerous cells. Other tests that may be needed include:
A variety of treatment options exist for mycosis fungoides and depend on the stage of the condition.
Phototherapy
Duringphototherapy, beams of either ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light are directed toward the skin, to help treat the areas of concern. Limiting time in direct sunlight is typically recommended when being treated with phototherapy.
Topical Treatments
Medications
Other Treatments
Another treatment sometimes used is a stem cell transplant. During this process, high doses of chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy (using high doses of radiation) are given to kill abnormal cells and replace them with healthy cells, either from the same person or from a donor.
Mycosis fungoides is considered to be an indolent lymphoma, meaning it grows and progresses very slowly over time. The ultimate prognosis depends upon the stage of the cancer.
In early stage 1 disease, patients who have been getting treatment are likely to have a normal life expectancy. Life expectancy decreases as the disease progresses, with people with stage 3 disease having a 10-year survival rate of 83%. If the cancer spreads into other areas of the body, the 10-year survival rate decreases to about 20%.
Experiencing the skin changes related to mycosis fungoides and having a diagnosis of cancer can be distressing. Seeking support from your healthcare team on how to manage symptoms and treatment-related side effects is important. Finding support from family, friends, or through formal support groups or counseling can help someone deal with the feelings associated with this disease.
A Word From Verywell
If you’re concerned about any skin lesions you may have, especially ones that aren’t improving with treatment and time, reach out to your healthcare team for evaluation.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMycosis fungoides is slow growing. It can take decades to progress through the various stages.The survival rate varies based on the stage of the disease. In terms of 10-year survival, a person with a stage 1 cancer diagnosis has a 98% rate of survival; stage 2 has a 42% survival rate; stage 3, an 83% survival rate; and stage 4, a 20% survival rate.Ways to manage itching from mycosis fungoides include moisturizing the skin well with lotions or creams, applying topical steroid prescription creams, or taking antihistamine medications, like diphenhydramine (Bendadryl).Sézary syndrome is very similar to mycosis fungoides. The difference is that in this syndrome, the cancerous T-cells are in the blood and not just in the skin cells. It is more aggressive and grows more quickly than mycosis fungoides.
Mycosis fungoides is slow growing. It can take decades to progress through the various stages.
The survival rate varies based on the stage of the disease. In terms of 10-year survival, a person with a stage 1 cancer diagnosis has a 98% rate of survival; stage 2 has a 42% survival rate; stage 3, an 83% survival rate; and stage 4, a 20% survival rate.
Ways to manage itching from mycosis fungoides include moisturizing the skin well with lotions or creams, applying topical steroid prescription creams, or taking antihistamine medications, like diphenhydramine (Bendadryl).
Sézary syndrome is very similar to mycosis fungoides. The difference is that in this syndrome, the cancerous T-cells are in the blood and not just in the skin cells. It is more aggressive and grows more quickly than mycosis fungoides.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Mycosis fungoides.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mycosis fungoides.Medline Plus.Sezary syndrome.National Cancer Institute.Mycosis fungoides-patient version.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Mycosis fungoides.Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.Managing itch.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Mycosis fungoides.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mycosis fungoides.Medline Plus.Sezary syndrome.National Cancer Institute.Mycosis fungoides-patient version.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Mycosis fungoides.Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.Managing itch.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medline Plus.Mycosis fungoides.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mycosis fungoides.Medline Plus.Sezary syndrome.National Cancer Institute.Mycosis fungoides-patient version.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Mycosis fungoides.Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.Managing itch.
Medline Plus.Mycosis fungoides.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mycosis fungoides.
Medline Plus.Sezary syndrome.
National Cancer Institute.Mycosis fungoides-patient version.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Mycosis fungoides.
Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.Managing itch.
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