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Skin Disorders:
Highlighting The Picture of Mycosis Fungoides

They are many different types of skin growths that can exist or develop on an individual’s body. Some of these growths can be non-cancerous and some can be cancerous. It is important to remember that if you develop a sudden skin growth to have it checked out immediately. Early detection is always a key to getting proper treatment.

Mycosis Fungoides is a form of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. This rare form of T-cell Lymphoma, affects the skin. It is recognized by rash like patches, plaques, tumors or lesions. The skin patches may appear flat and the plaque ones appear slightly raised. The patches or plaques can be itchy and irritating to the individual. The disorder is one that progresses slowly; it starts on the skin, but can spread to other parts of the body, including the liver, spleen, or even the brain. It is also referred to as Aibert-Bazin syndrome.

Who can get them?

Mycosis Fungoides is more common in black individuals than in white one. In individuals with a darker skin tone, the rashes may appear either very light or very dark. The aliment seems to affect more males than females. The disease appears in individuals over the age of fifty. The rashes and plaque seem to develop in individuals between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five years old. After an individual turns sixty, this is when the tumors and other lesions might develop. Mycosis Fungoides can in some cases affect children and adolescents. Since the aliment does affect the older population it is more important for them to seek treatment at the onset of the rashes, to prevent from progressing into the tumor stage.

What can cause them for Mycosis Fungoides?

The exact cause of Mycosis Fungoides is unknown. They are some links that environmental exposure or viral exposures can cause this aliment. The disease is not contagious and does not seem to have a link to an individual’s genetic makeup.

How does it happen?

Mycosis Fungoides is the formation of T-cell lymphomas that appear to manifest in the skin.

Where do they appear?

The patches, plaques, and tumors appear on the skin. They usually appear on the hips, buttocks, groin and breasts. It can also spread to other parts of the body that include the gastrointestinal system, liver or even the spleen.

What are the symptoms of Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis Fungoides has outward visible symptoms. These appear as rash like patches, plaques or lesions. The duration of the aliment from its onset to diagnosis can be up to six years.

How can it be diagnosed for Mycosis Fungoides?

The diagnosis of Mycosis Fungoides can be difficult for a doctor sometimes. In its early stages, the patches can appear to resemble eczema or other rash like skin aliments. To make a proper diagnosis, the doctor or dermatologist will conduct a skin biopsy. Blood and other tests are also conducted to determine what stage the aliment is at.

What treatments are available for Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis Fungoides treatments can vary depending on the stage of the aliment. Treatments can also depend on the patient’s preference and their availability for treatments.

One option is for the individual to use a topical steroid to treat the rash like patches and plaques. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink the tumors or lesions that appear on the skin.

In some cases radiotherapy is also done. The use of radiation is less evasive than using chemotherapy. A combination of treatments seems to be more effective in battling this aliment. They are also other treatments being tested to see how well they can combat the ailment, but those treatments depend on the current health and age of the individual inflicted with this aliment.

Individuals should remember that your skin is the most exposed part of your body, everyday it is battered with an array of different elements, from the sun and the weather to chemicals in the air and the food that we eat. It is important that a person seek out medical attention, if they develop any sort of strange growth or rash on their skin. While in most cases these are simple and non life threatening aliments, it is always better to have a doctor take and look, and make sure.