Review of the treatment of mycosis fungoides and sézary syndrome: a stage-based approach

J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2008 Apr;6(4):436-42. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2008.0033.

Abstract

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Non-Hodgkin's Disease were recently revised to include recommendations for treating mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. These uncommon lymphomas require a specialized evaluation and use a unique TNMB staging system. Unlike the other forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, stage overwhelmingly determines prognosis and defines radically different treatment approaches. For patients with early-stage disease, initial treatment with skin-directed therapies is preferred, and many patients never require systemic therapy. For patients with refractory or advanced-stage disease, biologic therapies are often the first choices, whereas chemotherapies are reserved for later in the disease course. Many milder therapies may be repeated several times in the disease course, and maintenance and tapering strategies are common. This article also discusses the emerging role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Mycosis Fungoides / diagnosis*
  • Mycosis Fungoides / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • PUVA Therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Sezary Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sezary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents