Mycosis Fungoides: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Fibroma fungoides

Mycosis Fungoides is a condition where the skin is affected with severe rashes, tumors, skin lesions and even an itchy skin. The cause of this condition is yet unknown but it is not genetic or hereditary in most of the cases. In this condition the immune system alters the functioning of certain cells that are related to the skin in a wide manner. This condition has different satges. The stages are – premycotic, mycotic and tumorous. The biopsy report shows that this condition shows that the skin develops infiltrative plaques and various tumors in the skin. It is also known as a mushroom like fungal disease as the patches and rashes caused in this condition are similar to the patches of that of a fungi. The redness of the skin is one of the major symptoms of this disease. The diagnose sometimes is difficult and a skin biopsy is required for the course of treatment that one needs. If the condition is left untreated or unrecognized then the condition would lead to infections and many harmful tumors.

The treatment procedure of this condition requires medical tests which look into the lumps and skin lesions. Since this disease is associated with the problem in the cells, thus a complete blood count is necessary to identify which cells are not functioning properly. A blood sample is drawn from the patient and then it is tested for signs of tumors as well. Skin biopsy is used in order to remove the cells or tissues that are affected. The doctor may sometimes remove the growth o from the skin which are examined by pathologists to diagnose them. Flow cytometry is used to eliminate the problems that you face. There is a presence of tumor in the skin cells which are eliminated by a passage if fluid in your bloodstream before a laser procedure on your skin. These affected skin area cells are sensitive to lights and the laser procedures also helps to kill these affected cells that cause the symptoms. It is highly advised that when you are facing irritation on your skin, you should not try and scratch the affected areas as they are highly infectious. You should also be in a sanitized state always during the treatment period.

You should start the treatment right away if you see the affected area of the skin appearing to be red. The skin also shows signs of irritation, bleeding and even lumps. Due to the irritation in the skin you are prone to scratch the affected area, but you are advised not to do that as it might lead to many infections and cause more bleeding on the lumps of the skin.

Sometimes this condition may be associated with skin cancer or some form of allergic reaction caused due to any previous injury or trauma. The medical expert needs to run tests and find out what course of treatment is needed. For the case of skin cancer and allergies, you are not eligible for the treatment of mycosis fungoides.

Sometimes the treatment procedure requires chemotherapy which involves patients to have some side effects. The side effects for chemotherapy are loss of hair, fatigue, abnormal weight loss. The medicines such as ointments, lotions might have some side effects which might lead to diabetic problems. However, there is a fifty fifty chance that you will develop these side effects. It all depends on the immune system and the treatment procedure from person to person.

If you undergo any form of surgery related to this procedure then you should not have exposure to direct sunlight for about a week. After the surgery, you should protect the skin from foreign dust particles as it might lead to skin infections. You must also apply the external medicines such as ointments, moisturizers and lotions as prescribed by your medical expert and seek medical help if the symptoms start to arrive again.

If the treatment is up to the mark then you might still have the scars for a temporary period of time but you can resume your day to day activities within two weeks. Due to the infections, bleeding and rashes the scars take about a year or so to fade away depending from person to person. You can also ask your medical expert to prescribe you ointments that help to eliminate these scars.

The medicines along with medicinal moisturizers and ointments approximately range from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000. If you are required to have a surgery, the cost ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 65,000 depending on the condition and stage that you are in.

The results of the treatment are permanent if and only if you follow the post treatment guidelines of your medical expert and take proper care of your skin. There is total skin irradiation which means that the infection is eliminated with the treatment procedure. However the scars might be there for an indefinite period of time on your skin.