Finding answers to your questions about cutaneous lymphoma and its treatment can be challenging. Drs. Haverkos and McBurney respond to a variety of questions about cutaneous lymphoma. (Click on “Show More” for timestamps)
Clinicians:
Brad Haverkos, MD, MPH, MS, Anschutz Cancer Pavilion
Elizabeth McBurney, MD, Sanova Dermatology
Timestamps:
02:08 Are people with mycosis fungoides more susceptible to developing other types of blood cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma or other types of cancer in general?
05:43 Do we (clinicians) keep track of individuals with MF and their causes of death?
09:43 Is it normal for the itchiness factor to worsen during summer when it’s hot?
12:15 Does COVID-19 increase the risk of MF going into your internal organs or the lymph nodes? Will you have a more severe reaction if you have MF?
19:10 Recent information about COVID-19 vaccines focuses alot on T-cells. Since we have a T-cell lymphoma, how does this relate to us?
22:00 What about running outside in the morning in a dry, hot envioronment without your shirt in order to get a little uv. Is this advisable?
23:22 I sometimes get patients that want to go to tanning beds and things to get light to help their cutaneous T-cell lymphoma disease. What would you say about that?
25:59 Is it normal for MF to flare or get redder, itchier new spots and then have periods where it is less so? If so, what contributes to these flares and are they indicative of the cancer spreading or being more active?
29:23 If there are only small patches should other parts of the body be covered during light treatment or is full body light treatment better since it’s T-cell related?
31:32 What is the best way to get rid of the dark hperpigmentation after you scratch yourself too much on your leg?
33:31 I would like to get the pneumonia shot. Is it safe for an MF patient to get this? Are there other vaccines that are not safe?
34:47 I have recently been diagnosed with CTCL. May I continue donating blood?
35:19 I was only recently diagnosed with CTCL. Should I notify all of my current health care providers (for example, my dentist, opthalmologist, gynecologist) of this diagnosis?
39:16 I have FMF (folliculotropic mycosis fungoides). Can you explain what information a T-cell gene rearrangement test would provide regarding my cancer? What would be good test result and what would be a bad test result?
43:20 Which cancers are most often seen with MF?
44:15 If someone is in the early stage and only has pactches or plaques, do you recommend TSEB (Total Skin Electron Beam) therapy for that person?
47:54 I just started Romadepsin. When should I start feeling improvement and what is the effectiveness of this drug? Why is this diagnosis so difficult?
52:39 What over-the-counter vitamins or minerals or homeopathic remedies do we have any published studies indicating that regular use of certain foods or topical creams is benefical intradermally?
56:07 Is age a factor that must be considered before starting any treatment?
