Stage I Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome
Stage II Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome
Stage III Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome
Stage IV Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

Treatment of stage I mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome may include the following:

• PUVA therapy with or without interferon alfa.
• Radiation therapy to a single skin lesion or to all the skin on the body (TSEB).
• Radiation therapy to skin lesions, as palliative therapy to reduce tumor size or relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Topical chemotherapy.
• Interferon alfa with or without topical chemotherapy.
• Retinoid therapy.
• Systemic chemotherapy. .

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage I mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome ¹. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ².

Treatment of stage II mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome is palliative and may include the following:

• PUVA therapy with or without interferon alfa.
• Radiation therapy to all the skin on the body (TSEB).
• Radiation therapy to skin lesions, to reduce tumor size or relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Topical chemotherapy.
• Interferon alfa with or without topical chemotherapy.
• Retinoid therapy.
• Systemic chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage II mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome ³. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ².

Treatment of stage III mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome is palliative and may include the following:

• PUVA therapy with or without systemic chemotherapy.
• PUVA therapy with or without interferon alfa.
• Extracorporeal photochemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy to all the skin on the body (TSEB).
• Radiation therapy to skin lesions, to reduce tumor size or relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Systemic chemotherapy with one or more drugs, with or without topical chemotherapy.
• Topical chemotherapy.
• Biologic therapy (interferon alfa or interleukin-2) with or without topical chemotherapy.
• Retinoid therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage III mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome ⁴. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ².

Treatment of stage IV mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome is palliative and may include the following:

• PUVA therapy with or without systemic chemotherapy.
• PUVA therapy with or without interferon alfa.
• Extracorporeal photochemotherapy with or without radiation therapy to all the skin on the body (TSEB).
• Radiation therapy to all the skin on the body, with or without systemic chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy to skin lesions.
• Systemic chemotherapy with one or more drugs.
• Biologic therapy (interferon alfa or interleukin-2) with or without topical chemotherapy.
• Topical chemotherapy.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy.
• Retinoid therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage IV mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome ⁵. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ².

Glossary Terms

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

A procedure in which blood is removed from the body and treated with ultraviolet light and drugs that become active when exposed to light. The blood is then returned to the body. It is being studied in the treatment of some blood and bone marrow diseases and graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Also called photopheresis.

A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to infections and other diseases). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. The body normally produces these substances. They are also made in the laboratory to treat cancer and other diseases.

An area of abnormal tissue. A lesion may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

A type of protein made in the laboratory that can locate and bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.

Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.

A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin nodules of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The patient receives psoralen (a drug that becomes active when it is exposed to light) by mouth or applied to the skin, followed by ultraviolet A radiation. PUVA therapy may increase the risk of getting skin cancer. Also called psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy.

The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.

Vitamin A or a vitamin A-like compound.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB. In stage IA, less than 10% of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques (areas of abnormal tissue). In stage IB, 10% or more of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques. Stage I may also be classified based on how many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found in the blood.

Stage II is divided into stages IIA and IIB. In stage IIA, any amount of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques (areas of abnormal tissue). Lymph nodes are enlarged but cancer has not spread to them. In stage IIB, one or more tumors (lumps of malignant cells) are found on the skin. Lymph nodes may be enlarged but cancer has not spread to them. Stage II may also be classified based on how many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found in the blood.

In stage III, nearly all of the skin is reddened and there may be patches, plaques, or tumors. Lymph nodes may be enlarged but cancer has not spread to them. Stage III may also be classified based on how many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found in the blood.

Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB. In stage IVA, most of the skin is reddened, and any amount of the skin is covered with patches and/or plaques (areas of abnormal tissue) or tumors (lumps of malignant cells). Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, and the lymph nodes may be enlarged. In stage IVB, most of the skin is reddened, and any amount of the skin is covered with lesions or tumors. Cancer has spread to other organs in the body. Lymph nodes may be enlarged and cancer may have spread to them. Stage IV may also be classified based on how many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found in the blood.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Treatment with anticancer drugs that travel through the blood to cells all over the body.

Treatment with anticancer drugs in a lotion or cream applied to the skin.

A type of radiation therapy using electrons that is directed at the entire surface of the body. This type of radiation goes into the outer layers of the skin, but does not go deeper into tissues and organs below the skin. Also called total skin electron beam radiation therapy.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.