Palliative Local Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Tumor-stage Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma/Mycosis Fungoides

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy in treating tumor-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma/mycosis fungoides (MF).MethodsFrom January 2008 to January 2013, a total of 11 patients with tumor-stage MF were treated with local radiation therapy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The median age of these patients was 53.36±14.45 years. Female-male ratio was 1:1.2. The average course of disease was 10.82±3.37 years. All the patients were treated with local electronic beam irradiation with a total median dosage of 48.55±9.51 (40-74) Gy in an average of 24.55±5.57 (20-40) fractions, 5 fractions per week.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 55.27±29.3 (13-103) months. No severe acute or chronic side effects of irradiation were observed. Complete clinical response (CR) rate of the radiated sites was 54.5% (6/11), partial response (PR) rate was 36.4% (4/11), and the overall response rate (CR+PR) was 90.9%. One patient showed no response.ConclusionLocal radiotherapy with psolaren plus ultraviolet A and/or interferon maintaining treatment is an effective palliative therapy in the treatment of tumor-stage MF patients.