[Narrow band UVB therapy in early stage mycosis fungoides. A study of 23 patients].

INTRODUCTION Phototherapy is effective for mycosis fungoides. Narrow band UVB (UVB1) therapy is being used as an alternative to PUVA therapy for its efficacy and less adverse events. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of narrow band UVB therapy in early stage mycosis fungoides. METHODS It is a retrospective study of 23 patients with stage IB mycosis fungoides that have received UVB1 therapy following the phototherapy protocol of the Spanish Photobiology Group. RESULTS Thirteen patients (57 %) had a complete response, eight patients (35 %) had a partial response and two patients (8 %) did not respond. Half of the patients with complete response (n = 6) relapsed after one year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS We consider that UVB1 therapy is a good alternative for treatment of early stage mycosis fungoides, although the disease-free period is short.