Long‐term clearance of patch‐stage mycosis fungoides with the 308‐nm laser

In order to investigate the effectiveness of the 308‐nm xenon chloride laser in the treatment of patch‐stage mycosis fungoides that is refractory to topical steroids, we conducted a prospective, histologically controlled, open‐label pilot study. Eight patients with stage 1A or 1B cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma that was unresponsive to application of potent topical steroids received 20 treatments with the laser over 10 weeks and were then followed up for a minimum of 30 months. Three patients had a complete clinical and histological response and remained free of disease after 30 months A further three patients had complete clinical and histological clearance of disease, but experienced relapse within the 30 months follow‐up period. One patient withdrew from the study and one had a partial response. Further research to establish the role of the 308‐nm laser in the treatment of MF appears justified.