Mycosis Fungoides Essay -- Biology, T Cells

Mycosis fungoides is a main subtype of a cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), in which a heterogeneous collection of lymphomas develop into malignant cancer cells, primarily affecting the skin. This disease can be distinguished from other cutaneous T cell lymphomas by its unique clinical and histologic features (Armitage et al., 2010). Mycosis fungoides can be treated several different ways and is dependent on several factors such as the stage of the cancer, health of the patient, presenting symptoms and patient-specific issues (Parker & Bradley, 2006). Traditional therapies for mycosis fungoides involved radiation therapy, oral psoralen with UVA light therapy and narrow- and broadband UVB light therapy. Recently, novel therapies have been established to treat CTCL and several of them are starting to become routine therapies for the erythrodermic subgroup of mycosis fungoides. This paper will discuss the historical background of the disease as well as the new techniques that have been u sed within the past few years and the traditional methods of treatment. T cells are genetically prepared to protect and survey the human body from any environmental stressors, foreign agents and malignancy. Some of these T cells are programmed to protect the skin. Once the body is infected with T lymphocytes, the T cells infiltrate the skin, work together to eradicate the allergen and eventually they undergo the process of natural cell death. However, when specific skin-homing T lymphocytes infect the skin, they then clonally expand and are sometimes unable to exit the skin compartment. Once the lymphocytes accumulate within the skin, the reaction is then known as a rash. This proliferation of abnormal cloning of T cells within the skin distinguishes ... ...ter researching mycosis fungoides, I have learned that the cause of this disease is unknown and unless detected at an early stage, it is most likely not curable. What are fortunate for patients with mycosis fungoides are the numerous therapeutic options which I find to be remarkable. Since the treatment options are mainly palliative, I have realized the goals of therapy for this disease are symptom relief and consideration for their quality of life. Although most techniques are chosen based upon clinical stage of the disease, what I find most promising is total skin electron beam radiation therapy. With this type of technology being around for several years, and continuously updating to modern techniques, I find it most beneficial to patients. However, there are several options available for patients and being able to combine different therapies is in their favor.