Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. It develops when abnormal T-cells accumulate in the skin, causing red, scaly patches, plaques, or tumors that often resemble eczema or psoriasis. Because of this, diagnosis is often delayed until skin biopsies confirm it.
The disease usually progresses slowly over years or decades, and many patients remain in early stages without serious complications. Treatments vary by stage, ranging from skin-directed therapies like corticosteroids, light therapy, or topical chemotherapy, to systemic options such as retinoids, interferon, targeted drugs, or radiation in more advanced cases. While typically not curable once it has spread, mycosis fungoides is often manageable, and patients can live with it for a long time.