[Comparison of the results obtained with ultraviolet radiation and photochemotherapy in the early stages of mycosis fungoides].

The Authors have performed a retrospective study, comparing the results obtained in two groups of patients affected by Mycosis Fungoides at early stages. Thirty-four patients were treated with ultraviolet rays, 32 with photochemotherapy. The patients, in the first stages of the disease, classified on the basis of TNM system, were treated with UVR or PUVA according to standard schedules. The results obtained in the two groups were the following: 1. UVR treated group: complete remission 32%, partial remission 65%, no results 3%; 2. PUVA treated group: complete remission 84%, partial remission 16%. These data show the evidence that photochemotherapy is undoubtedly more advantageous than simple phototherapy in inducing complete remission of early Mycosis Fungoides. UVR therapy still presents, however, as a worthwhile non-aggressive therapeutic choice when the disease has not a progressive character or when photochemotherapy has serious contraindications.