Transformation and psychological relief after palliative radiotherapy.

Light at the End of the Tunnel: How Radiotherapy Eases Discomfort and Restores Confidence in Mycosis Fungoides Patients

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how palliative radiotherapy offers a beacon of hope, diminishing the psychological and social burdens of disfiguring Mycosis Fungoides lesions."

Mycosis Fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, typically affects individuals in their late middle age, predominantly men. Characterized by a slow progression, early-stage MF generally carries a relatively favorable prognosis. However, the disease course can vary significantly, with some variants like folliculotropic MF and large cell transformation exhibiting more aggressive behavior.

The hallmark of MF lies in its cutaneous manifestations, often presenting as itchy, red patches on areas of the skin that are not typically exposed to the sun. These patches can evolve into thicker plaques and, in some cases, tumors. While overall survival rates for early-stage MF are high, treatment decisions are heavily influenced by the extent of the disease and its impact on a patient's quality of life. Various treatments are available for early-stage MF, ranging from topical corticosteroids and chlormethine to phototherapy.

In more extensive or aggressive cases, systemic treatments such as retinoids, interferon, methotrexate, and monoclonal antibodies are often employed. Local radiation therapy emerges as a valuable option for patients with localized, infiltrating, or ulcerating cutaneous lesions. Offering high response rates, local radiation can significantly improve a patient's condition with fewer side effects than extensive treatments. This article explores the role of palliative radiotherapy in improving the lives of individuals struggling with disfiguring MF lesions, highlighting a case where this approach significantly enhanced a patient's psychological and social well-being.

The Case: Reclaiming Life Through Targeted Radiotherapy

Transformation and psychological relief after palliative radiotherapy.

Consider the case of a 58-year-old man diagnosed with Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides in 1997. Initially treated with topical chlormethine, his condition progressed, leading to tumoral formations across his body, notably a disfiguring exophytic lesion on his nose. Despite undergoing multiple systemic treatments, including methotrexate, PUVA therapy, and various inhibitors, the lesions persisted, significantly impacting his quality of life.

The disfigurement caused by the nasal lesion led to significant social isolation, affecting his ability to interact with others, including family. Histological examination confirmed the lesion as classical Mycosis Fungoides of granulomatous type without transformation. Given the palliative intent of his treatment, the patient was referred for radiotherapy.

Treatment Plan: The patient underwent conventional radiotherapy using 12 MeV electrons and 6 MV and 18 MV photons, receiving a total of 36 Gy in 18 fractions.
Results: Within weeks, the lesions disappeared completely, and the patient experienced only mild, temporary radiodermatitis.
Long-Term Outcome: Remarkably, there was no clinical relapse observed in the 3 years following the treatment.
Psychological Impact: The improved appearance of his nose led to a significant psychological boost. He reported a renewed ability to engage in social activities and interact with friends and family.

This case underscores the potential of radiotherapy, even when used with palliative intent, to dramatically improve the lives of MF patients struggling with disfiguring lesions. By targeting the lesions directly, radiotherapy not only improves the physical appearance but also alleviates the profound psychological and social burdens associated with the condition.

Restoring Hope and Quality of Life

Local radiotherapy stands as an effective treatment for managing infiltrated or tumoral lesions in Mycosis Fungoides, particularly when these lesions significantly impair a patient's psychosocial well-being. By offering a high response rate with minimal toxicity, radiotherapy can be seamlessly integrated with other systemic treatments. It presents a vital option for enhancing the quality of life for those affected by this challenging condition, offering a renewed sense of confidence and well-being.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1155/2018/1762050, Alternate LINK

Title: Palliative Radiotherapy For Disfiguring Mycosis Fungoides Lesion: A Key Treatment To Reduce Psychological And Social Impact

Subject: Dermatology

Journal: Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Authors: Axel Egal, Caroline Ram-Wolf, Laurent Quero, Martine Bagot, Marie-Dominique Vignon-Pennamen, Christophe Hennequin, Basma M’Barek

Published: 2018-07-26

Everything You Need To Know

What is Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It is a slow-progressing cancer that primarily affects the skin. It often presents with itchy, red patches that can develop into plaques and tumors. Folliculotropic MF and large cell transformation are more aggressive variants of the disease. Treatment decisions are based on the extent of the disease and its impact on the patient's quality of life. The disease can cause disfigurement and other symptoms impacting the patient's social interactions and psychological well-being.

What is the role of palliative radiotherapy in treating Mycosis Fungoides?

Palliative radiotherapy uses radiation to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with Mycosis Fungoides, particularly those with disfiguring lesions. This approach aims to alleviate the psychological and social burdens associated with the condition. In the context provided, a case involving Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides and the patient's treatment with radiotherapy showed remarkable improvements in the patient's physical appearance and a subsequent boost in their psychological and social well-being.

How can radiotherapy improve the lives of patients with Mycosis Fungoides?

Radiotherapy can effectively target and improve the aesthetic appearance of lesions caused by Mycosis Fungoides. This can lead to significant improvements in patients' psychological well-being and social interactions. In a specific case of Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides, radiotherapy using 12 MeV electrons, 6 MV and 18 MV photons, with a total of 36 Gy in 18 fractions resulted in the complete disappearance of lesions and, notably, no clinical relapse for three years post-treatment. This signifies its potential to enhance the quality of life for patients affected by this condition.

How effective was the radiotherapy in the case presented?

The case highlighted shows that despite multiple systemic treatments failing, local radiation therapy was effective in a patient with Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides. The patient received a total of 36 Gy in 18 fractions using 12 MeV electrons and 6 MV/18 MV photons. This treatment approach led to the complete disappearance of the lesions, which were causing significant disfigurement, and improved the patient's ability to engage in social activities. This case underscores that radiotherapy offers a high response rate, improved aesthetics and, importantly, a renewed sense of confidence and social well-being in this patient.

What are the implications of Mycosis Fungoides for patients?

The implications of Mycosis Fungoides (MF) include physical manifestations, such as disfiguring lesions, which can significantly impair a patient's psychosocial well-being. These lesions can cause social isolation and impact the patient's ability to interact with others, including family and friends. Palliative radiotherapy offers a way to manage these symptoms, improve the physical appearance of the lesions, and alleviate the psychological and social burdens associated with MF. This treatment approach can lead to a renewed sense of confidence and improved quality of life for patients.