Mycosis fungoides is a cancer of the skin. It is highly disfiguring and life threatening. Treatments will be adapted to the severity of the disease. However, a cure remains a challenging goal for the pharmaceutical industry.
Disease: Mycosis Fungoides
Last update: June 2006
Intro
FAQ: What does the future hold?
The pharmaceutical research industry is working hard to meet the urgent unmet medical needs of patients. Molecules called interferons, monoclonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors are being actively researched. So too are agents to stimulate the immune system. Research is also being carried out to understand how the cells concerned turn into cancer cells. Findings in this area would be a promising step towards helping people with this chronic and devastating disease.
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What is it?
Mycosis fungoides is a form of skin cancer. The disease may progress from eczema-like skin lesions to ulcerative tumours. It can be highly disfiguring and fatal in the later stages.
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Who gets it?
There are about 1,200 new cases a year in Europe. It affects twice as many men as women, with an age range of usually between 45 and 65 years.
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What can be done about it?
A wide variety of treatments have been tried, but it is generally agreed that mycosis fungoides is not curable with the therapies currently available. Treatment will be adapted to the severity of the disease.
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What does the future hold?
The pharmaceutical research industry is working hard to meet the urgent unmet medical needs of patients. Molecules called interferons, monoclonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors are being actively researched. So too are agents to stimulate the immune system. Research is also being carried out to understand how the cells concerned turn into cancer cells. Findings in this area would be a promising step towards helping people with this chronic and devastating disease.