HOME ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOTHERAPY OF EARLY MYCOSIS-FUNGOIDES - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS

Patients (31) with early mycosis fungoides (MF) and 3 patients with parapsoriasis en plaques were treated with UV phototherapy (280-350 nm) at home using a commercially available light source containing 4 Westinghouse FS40 lamps. A complete clinical and histologic remission of disease, lasting for a median duration in excess of 18 mo., was achieved in 19 patients (61%) with MF. Although higher complete response rates generally are achieved with other therapeutic modalities, UV phototherapy with its minimal adverse effects may be indicated for selected patients. Controlled studies are encouraged to evaluate the full potential of conventional phototherapy in the management of MF.