A brief review of the pathophysiology and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma "mycosis fungoides".

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It represents a spectrum of disorders with preferential involvement of the skin and, after a period of time, may progress to involve lymph nodes, peripheral blood and/or visceral organs. MF progresses in three clinical phases: the premycotic, mycotic and tumor stages. Each stage has different characteristics and goals for treatment. Treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the earlier stages is more effective and may be curative, while treatment in the last stage is less effective and the intent is to alleviate symptoms. The case study illustrates topical treatment using sheet hydrogel to absorb exudate, contain odor and reduce pain upon dressing removal for a patient in the tumor stage of MF.