Mycosis Fungoides: a great unknown
Section: LEARNING TO TEACH
Authors
Isabel María Morales Gómez-Cambronero
Position
Enfermera de Atención Primaria del Sescam (Servicio de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha).
Contact email: lebasi2003@hotmail.com
Abstract
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the T cells, with a, so far unknown aetiology and with clinical symptoms which go through three different stages which confirm the disease: the patches, the plaques and the tumours stage. In the later stage, it may compromise ganglions and viscera.
Its diagnosis is difficult in the early stages, and survival depends of several factors, such as which stage they are in, the age of the patient and coexistence of other diseases. The treatments will also depend on the developmental stage of the disease, the main ones being topical and systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy and immunotherapy.
The lesions need daily treatment by nurses, who must understand the disease being treated and make the patient comprehend it, thus reducing their uncertainty and anxiety. At first sight it could be confused with other minor dermatological processes, and the cures could be inappropriate. Itching is a symptom which health professionals tend not to consider important, and in this particular case is very characteristic, being the most uncomfortable sensation that the patient will experience during the curing.
This is a long course disease and not very well known to nurses, as it occurs infrequently. This is why I want to make it better known, in order to get a professional competence which allows a higher quality of nursing care and consequently a better quality of life for patients who suffer from it.
Keywords:
mycosis fungoides; lymphomat cells
Versión en Español
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