Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy for early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) has been found to be beneficial in some reports. Although rapid recurrences after discontinuation of therapy appear to interfere with its efficacy, optimal maintenance schedules for prolonged relapse-free intervals are not discussed in the literature. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with narrowband UVB in patients with MF.

All available data that belong to 14 patients (10 male, 4 female; age range, 28-74 years) with histologically proven MF, at disease stages IA-IB (n=10) and IIA (n=4) who received narrowband UVB were retrospectively evaluated.

Complete response (CR) was achieved in 11 of 14 cases (78%) after a mean of 25 treatments. Ten of 11 patients were followed up for a median of 22 months (range, 7-43 months) after CR; one patient was lost to follow-up immediately after CR. Eight patients completed the recommended maintenance narrowband UVB therapy protocol. The median duration of maintenance was 18 months (range, 12-30 months). No patient had relapse during maintenance. Mean relapse-free duration was 26.0 ± 9.9 months.

The number of patients in the study group was relatively few.

This study provides evidence that narrowband UVB might be an efficient treatment option for MF patients at stages IA and IB, as well as at stage IIA. Results suggest that using maintenance phototherapy after CR is a logical approach, which may prolong the duration of remission in MF.