title: An open trial of climatotherapy at the Dead Sea for patch-stage mycosis fungoides.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, the Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. ehodak@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Emmilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hodak
authors.forename: Alice B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: Tzvi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maron
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lotem
authors.forename: Meora
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feinmesser
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: 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