Assessment of efficacy of narrow-band ultraviolet B for the treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides / 中华皮肤科杂志

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.