Treatment of parapsoriasis and mycosis fungoides: the role of psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet light A (PUVA).

Psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet light A (PUVA) was used to treat 12 patients with parapsoriasis and 19 patients with mycosis fungoides. Excellent results were obtained in all 12 patients with parapsoriasis: 8 patients had complete clearing, 3 had more than 80% improvement, and 1 had considerable improvement. The response to PUVA in patients with mycosis fungoides varied according to the stage of the disease. Of 10 patients with early disease (stage I or II), 7 had complete clearing and the 3 others had more than 80% improvement. The nine patients with more advanced disease generally did not respond well to PUVA, with the exception of one patient with stage IV disease and one with stage V disease. PUVA may be the treatment of choice for parapsoriasis and is highly effective in the early stages of mycosis fungoides.