Palliative Radiotherapy for Disfiguring Mycosis Fungoides Lesion: A Key Treatment to Reduce Psychological and Social Impact

Abstract

Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is a rare disease with a relatively good prognosis at early stage. However, skin lesions can impair quality of life due to extensive skin lesions. In some cases, skin lesions, and especially those of the face, become visible and change the physical appearance of the patients. This aspect can deeply affect patients psychologically and can impact their social life. Here, we report the case of a patient with multiple lesions including a disfiguring lesion arising from the nose. The extent of his skin lesions gave a palliative intent to his treatment project. The patient underwent several lines of chemotherapy and immunotherapy with poor results. He was then referred to our radiotherapy and received localized radiotherapy. Lesions disappeared completely within a few weeks. The patient reported a psychological relief. This case highlights the fact that radiotherapy can be done in a “palliative” intent in order to improve esthetic aspects of lesions that can dramatically impact the psychosocial side of patient’s life. Clinicians can consider radiotherapy as treatment of some MF lesions as far as they impair the patient’s comfort from a psychological and social point of view.