What is Mycosis Fungoides?

Sometimes a red rash is more than an annoying skin problem. It can be a sign of illness, including a blood cancer with a big name: mycosis fungoides.

This condition, also known as Alibert-Bazin syndrome or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is rare. It happens when white blood cells called T-cells grow out of control and move from the blood into the skin. This causes the rash, which can be itchy.

When cancerous T-cells are found in your blood as well as in your skin, it's called Sézary syndrome. It's not clear if Sézary syndrome is an advanced form of mycosis fungoides or something different.

Doctors don't know what causes mycosis fungoides. It could be related to a virus, exposure to a chemical, or your genes.

It can happen at any age, but most people get it in their 50s or 60s. Men are two times more likely than women to have it.

Symptoms

Mycosis fungoides usually develops slowly and moves through four phases. But not everyone goes through all of them:

• First phase: A scaly red rash, usually in areas that don't get sunlight, such as your rear end; there are no other symptoms in this phase, and it may last months or even years.
• Second phase: A thin red rash that looks like patches
• Third phase: Small raised bumps or hard plaques that may be red
• Fourth phase: Tumors or bumps that may look like mushrooms; they can break open and get infected.

You can have patches, plaques, and tumors at the same time. But most people who've had mycosis fungoides for many years only have the first two.

Does It Spread?

It usually doesn't go beyond the skin. Many people live a normal life while treating the rash. However, in 10% of people, the cancer spreads to lymph nodes or other organs, which can be serious.

Some people also develop Sézary syndrome. The cancerous cells are found in your blood, and almost all your skin is affected. It may look like you have sunburn, and your skin may itch like crazy. Sézary syndrome grows and spreads fast and is more difficult to treat than mycosis fungoides.

Diagnosis

It can be hard for your doctor to know for sure that you have mycosis fungoides. The patches or plaques can look like eczema, psoriasis, or another common skin problem. It's possible to have it for years before you get the right diagnosis.

Your doctor will take a small sample of your skin -- a biopsy -- and put it under a microscope to look for signs of the cancer. You might need several biopsies to confirm it.

Treatment

Mycosis fungoides is rarely cured, but some people stay in remission for a long time. In early stages, it's often treated with medicines or therapies that target just your skin. Your doctor may use more than one approach:

Creams, gels, or lotions: These include corticosteroids, vitamin A medicines called retinoids, and chemotherapy drugs that are spread on the skin. They can clear the rash, control the cancer, and get rid of the itch.

Radiation: Electron beam radiation works well against mycosis fungoides. It uses very tiny electrically charged particles (electrons) to target and kill cancer cells. This type of radiation only enters the upper layers of your skin, so deeper tissues and organs are safe. It's given in two ways:

• Total skin radiation: Your whole body may need it if you have mycosis fungoides spots in lots of places.
• Spot treatment: If you only have a few trouble spots, radiation can target just those areas. This is often used when other therapies haven't worked.

If your cancer is more advanced, your doctor may suggest whole body therapies. These include:

Chemotherapy: Strong drugs target cancer and other cells that divide quickly.

Targeted and biologic therapy: Some drugs identify and attack specific parts of cancer cells. Others boost your immune system to fight them.

Retinoid pills: These change the way cancer cells grow and mature.

Living With Mycosis Fungoides

This cancer can make your skin very dry and itchy. Here are a few things you can do:

• Take short, lukewarm baths or showers. Long, hot ones can make dryness and itchiness worse.
• Pat your skin dry -- don't rub it.
• Use an unscented skin moisturizer after bathing so moisture gets locked in.
• Put a cold compress on areas that are really itchy.

The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation has an online community that can offer more tips and support.

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