Mycosis Fungoides: woman struggling scatching her neck area

Understanding Mycosis Fungoides Treatment: Diagnosis & Remission

Name: Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme
Address: 474 Harrow Road, Central London, W9 3RU, UK
Telephone: 020.3875.7399
Price range: Please Call for Pricing

Mycosis fungoides is a rare type of blood cancer that affects the skin, causing red, scaley patches to appear which can eventually progress into tumours. Mycosis fungoides is often misdiagnosed due to its resemblance to benign skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving remission and survival rates.

Though signs and symptoms manifest on the skin, mycosis fungoides is rooted in an overproduction of T-cells which travel to the skin’s surface. Early stages of the cancer first include benign-appearing marks across the body.

Mycosis fungoides treatment is essential, not only for a patient’s mental and physical well-being but to increase rates of remission and survival. Adonia Medical Clinic is an internationally recognized leader in certain procedural treatments known to improve and aid in curing mycosis fungoides, including photodynamic, light-based interventions like Exciplex®.

Mycosis Fungoides Four Stages: Symptoms and Development

Early mycosis fungoides appears in a similar way to other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. It also develops more frequently on the trunk, limbs, thighs, and lower back/buttocks.

Mycosis fungoides is triggered when the body overproduces T-cells, which then aggregate on the skin. T-cells are an important part of the immune system responsible for fighting infections, but ongoing high levels of T-cells indicates the body may be experiencing a more serious infection or certain kinds of cancer.

It’s important to understand the four major stages of mycosis fungoides development:

Stage 1 (1A-1B)

The earliest phases of mycosis fungoides where a mild to moderately itchy, red rash appears, often on the trunk or backside. Typically no other symptoms are present, including no noticeable lymph node swelling. The rash can last from several weeks to several months and covers ~10%-20% of the body.
Stage II (IIA-IIB)

The rash develops thin, scale-line crusts and expands to >10% of the skin’s surface. Rashes may start appearing more psoriasis-like and develop into isolated skin ulcers as well as tumours. Lymph nodes may appear swollen or inflamed, but bloodwork shows cancerous cells have not spread.
Stage III (IIIA-IIIB)

Widespread rash where hardened bumps, lumps (papules), lesions, or tumours have visibly formed. Lymph nodes are enlarged but cancerous cells still have not travelled to them.
Stage IV (IVA-IVB)

Widespread skin composition and texture irregularities with the appearance of tumours. Most importantly, cancerous cells have been found in the lymph nodes themselves as well as potentially other tissue or organs, requiring further treatment.

The earliest symptoms of Mycosis Fungoides will present as Stage 1 (premycotic phase) and consist largely of the development of a rash. Rashes often appear on their own, without other symptoms.

Mycosis fungoides mostly affects adults. Men are almost twice as likely to develop mycosis fungoides as women. Both men and women over age 50 are at an increased risk.
Tumour Stage Mycosis Fungoides

While not a technical category or medical definition, the “tumour stage” of mycosis fungoides consists of when plaque build-ups develop into skin tumours. Tumours can appear in mycosis fungoides between Stages II-IV.

Like other cancers, doctors will perform blood work, biopsies, and other tests to determine the severity of mycosis fungoides and if malignant cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

Woman Scratching a Mild Rash on Her Back

Causes of Mycosis Fungoides

There is no known cause for mycosis fungoides. Like nearly all forms of cancers, researchers believe people may develop mycosis fungoides based on several risk co-factors and triggers:

Genetics

Research suggests there are several chromosomal variations or differences which may increase an individual’s risk of mycosis fungoides. Patients with a family history of certain blood disorders and blood cancers are also at a higher risk.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to carcinogens can increase a person’s likelihood of developing mycosis fungoides. Carcinogens are compounds or agents with a known link to causing cancer and can include both organic (naturally occurring) or generated substances, such as.
- UVA/UVB light
- Tobacco smoke and related tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Mechanical exhaust fumes
- And more
Chronic Inflammation, Especially Skin Inflammation

Studies indicate long-term inflammation can activate ongoing immune system changes, including those which generate environments more favourable to the T-cell proliferation behind mycosis fungoides. Chronic skin inflammation, especially in people with preexisting conditions like psoriasis or eczema, could also place added stress on immune cells, encouraging mutations.

Mycosis Fungoides Treatment

There are three main categories of treatment for mycosis fungoides:

Topical treatments. Including cream-based corticosteroids, topical localised chemo, and certain types of prescription topical retinoids.
Systemic treatments. Whole-body treatments such as immunotherapies and chemotherapy, as well as oral retinoids. And for the most severe stage IV cases of mycosis fungoides, stem cell transplants.
Nonsurgical procedural treatments. Medical interventions which specifically address malignant T-cells locally instead of via broad, full-body systematic models.

Dr. Ejikeme and her team specialise in treating localised lesions of mycosis fungoides using Exciplex®️ therapy. If your condition requires more extensive treatment or alternative approaches, you may be referred to ensure you receive the most suitable care for your individual needs.

Exciplex® Light-Based Mycosis Fungoides Treatment

A leading medical intervention today, Exciplex® offers a non-invasive procedural treatment that can be essential to preventing mycosis fungoides progression.

Because mycosis fungoides begins with a dysregulated immune system overgenerating malignant T-cells, which compound on the skin, comprehensive treatments need to directly target the disease at an immune-cellular level.

Why does Exciplex® work for treating Mycosis Fungoides?

Directly targets and kills malignant T-cells
Shrinks and reduces skin lesions, plaque, and scale buildup
Improves overall skin texture and appearance
Targets only lesions without damaging the surrounding skin
Outpatient therapy with minimal side effects

Timeline

Exciplex® is scheduled in accordance with any other procedural or topical treatments. Most patients treating mycosis fungoides with photodynamic therapy (PDT) can expect 1 session once a week for the first 4-8 weeks, with maintenance sessions then scheduled every 2-4 weeks.
Recovery
Exciplex® is a non-surgical outpatient treatment that allows patients to quickly return to their daily activities with few notable side effects. Patients may experience:
- Mild tenderness and swelling around lesions, abating in a few hours.
- Patients should follow any personalised post-care instructions from their medical team.
Results
- After 4 weeks Exciplex® treatment sessions: Patients will begin experiencing a decrease in lesion size and redness.
- After 8 weeks Exciplex® treatment sessions: Lesion patches are significantly reduced and skin redness or discoloration dramatically improved. Lesions occur less frequently, with reduced itchiness, pain, and discomfort.
- After 10-12 weeks Exciplex® treatment sessions: Patients are now in the maintenance phase of photodynamic therapy, with minimally recurring lesion patches so long as other stage-based symptoms remain under control.
For ongoing results, research indicates monochromatic light therapy should be used in addition to other cancer treatments and overseen by a specialised medical team.

Mycosis fungoides can relapse, but getting treatment early can significantly reduce the risk of progression or cancerous cells travelling to the lymph nodes.

Central London Mycosis Fungoides Treatments Across All Stages

Mycosis Fungoides’ light therapy treatments are an essential part of tackling this disease head-on.

It can be difficult to know who or where to turn. Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme and her team pride themselves on Adonia Clinic’s comprehensive, research-backed procedural treatment offerings across the stages of mycosis fungoide, on top of nurturing a tranquil, compassionate, uplifting environment.

It’s important to get in touch as early as possible to alleviate symptoms and start the path to remission.

Book an Exciplex Consultation

What Is Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis fungoides is a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which causes malignant (cancerous) red, rash-like patches and lesions to develop across the skin.

There are currently four stages of mycosis fungoides. More progressive forms of the condition are considered severe (Stages III-IV) and affect larger swaths of the body, while Stages I-II are considered less severe.

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