An open trial of climatotherapy at the Dead Sea for patch-stage mycosis fungoides.
BACKGROUND
Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea (CDS) is a well-established therapeutic modality for moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris, resulting in sustained remissions. It has also been found to be effective for atopic dermatitis, another T-cell-mediated dermatosis.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of CDS in patch-stage mycosis fungoides.


METHODS
A total of 12 patients with patch-stage mycosis fungoides (6 with stage IA and 6 with stage IB) were treated with CDS as monotherapy for 28 consecutive days according to the protocol for psoriasis, ie, a gradual increase of sun exposure to a maximum of 3 hours daily.


RESULTS
A total of 9 patients achieved a complete clinical response (CCR), defined as no disease activity present; 2 achieved an almost CCR, defined as the reduction by more than 90% of disease activity; and 1 achieved a partial response, ie, reduction by more than 50% of disease activity. A CCR was achieved in all the patients with stage IA disease and in 3 of the 6 patients with stage IB disease. Of the 9 with a CCR, 6 also showed histopathologic clearing. Duration of the remissions, during which no therapy was allowed except for emollients, lasted from 2 to 9 months (mean: 5 months). No serious short-term side effects were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
CDS appears to be an effective, well-tolerated therapy for patch-stage mycosis fungoides.
Hodak
Emmilia
E
Department of Dermatology, the Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. ehodak@clalit.org.il
Gottlieb
Alice B
AB
Segal
Tzvi
T
Maron
Lea
L
Lotem
Michal
M
Feinmesser
Meora
M
David
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001452:Balneology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013472:Sunlight; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects