title: Narrow-band UVB phototherapy and psoralen-ultraviolet A photochemotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous mastocytosis: a study in 20 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In mastocytosis, the skin is almost invariably involved, and cutaneous symptoms deeply affect patients' quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational analysis of patients affected by cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) and indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) treated with phototherapy/photochemotherapy (PUVA or NB-UVB) has been conducted. For each patient, total numbers of PUVA or NB-UVB exposures, the cumulative UV dose (J/cm2), serum tryptase profile, and pruritus, before and after treatment, according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) were considered. Skin lesions of each patient were assessed, before and after treatment, according to a cutaneous scale score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients affected by CM and ISM were studied; in particular, 10 patients received NB-UVB therapy, and other 10 patients received PUVA. A statistically significant mean reduction of pruritus in both groups (P < 0.01) was observed. The number of treatments necessary to obtain symptom relief was significantly lower in the PUVA group, but the mean exposure dose was significantly higher, if compared to the NB-UVB group. Serum tryptase levels showed a downward trend. The cutaneous score improved in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was a retrospective study with a small sample size and without a control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work provides evidence that both NB-UVB and PUVA represent a safe and useful second-line therapy of the cutaneous symptoms in mastocytosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Science, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brazzelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Science, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merante
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Science, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciccocioppo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Science, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borroni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005363:Ficusin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D034701:Mastocytosis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy
chemical_list: D005363:Ficusin
keywords: NB-UVB phototherapy; PUVA photochemotherapy; cutaneous mastocytosis; systemic mastocytosis