Home UV phototherapy of early mycosis fungoides: Long-term follow-up observations in thirty-one patients

Background: In 1982 we reported our preliminary observations on the use of home UV phototherapy for patch and early plaque phase mycosis fungoides (MF). Objective: Our purpose was to present follow-up data of the original 31 patients, covering an interval of up to 15 years. Methods: All patients used a commercially available UV phototherapy unit that contained four Westinghouse FS40 fluorescent lamps for daily exposures of their non-sun- exposed skin regions. Results: A complete clinical and histologic response to home phototherapy occurred in 23 patients (74%) with a maximum duration of the response from 5 months to more than 15 years (median 51 months). After maintenance phototherapy was discontinued, seven patients (23%) had a sustained disease-free interval lasting more than 58 months (median >90 months). This indicates that cure may have been achieved in a minority of patients. Phototherapy was well tolerated without evidence of significant photodamage or photocarcinogenicity. Conclusion: These observations indicate that home phototherapy may be a therapeutic option for treatment of selected patients with early MF.