Total skin electron beam therapy may be associated with improvement of peripheral blood disease in Sézary syndrome

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Apr;58(4):592-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.12.016. Epub 2008 Feb 4.

Abstract

Total skin electron beam radiation is an effective therapy for palliation of the cutaneous symptoms of the most common types of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. We report 4 cases of patients with Sézary syndrome who had significant improvement in their blood burden of malignant cells in addition to complete cutaneous responses to total skin electron beam therapy. The data from these 4 patients illustrate the potential for total skin electron beam to be used as both a skin and blood tumor debulking agent, and not merely as a palliation for skin symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Electrons*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / radiotherapy*
  • Mycosis Fungoides / radiotherapy
  • Sezary Syndrome / radiotherapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • Whole-Body Irradiation*