Normalized light reactions in mycosis fungoides patients after complete remission of skin lesions

Eleven mycosis fungoides patients were phototested on apparently normal skin before treatment with mechlorethamine, topically in 8 patients and with methoxsypsoralen followed by longwave ultraviolet light (PUVA) in 3 patients. Abnormal photosensitivity to UVB was seen before treatment in 4, to UVA in 4, and to visible light in one patient. The abnormal photosensitivity to all wavelength regions was normalized after complete remission of the cutaneous lesions. Two of the PUVA-treated patients demonstrated that special care should be taken during the initial phase of this treatment because of the light sensitivity, especially on lesional skin.