A prospective cohort study of condensed low-dose total skin electron beam therapy for mycosis fungoides: Reduction of disease burden and improvement in quality of life

Background: Low-dose total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) for mycosis fungoides is popular because of reduced toxicity with effective palliation. We condensed TSEBT, reducing visits by half and overall treatment length by one third.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of a novel condensed low-dose TSEBT for mycosis fungoides.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study (2014-2018) with a median follow-up of 22.8 months. We delivered 12 Gy per 6 fractions with the modified Stanford technique, 3 fractions per week, with boosts to shadowed sites at risk between treatments, completing in 2 weeks. Primary outcomes included clinical response, duration of and time to response, and toxicity. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported quality of life (pain, pruritus, and Dermatology Life Quality Index) and physician-scored disease burden (body surface area involvement and Modified Skin Weighted Assessment Tool).

Results: Of 25 patients, stage IB was most common at the time of TSEBT (36%). The overall response rate was 88%. Most common was a near complete response (36%), and complete response was achieved in 6 (24%) patients. The median duration of response was 17.5 months (3.5-44.2), and the median time to response was 2 months (range, 0.9-4.1). No patients had toxicity of grade 3 or greater. QOL and disease burden showed significant benefit after TSEBT (P < .001).

Limitations: Cohort study with limited sample size.

Conclusions: Condensed, low-dose TSEBT has favorable outcomes and toxicity with logistical convenience.