Is chemotherapy an effective treatment of mycosis fungoides?

Yes. Both partial and complete remissions can be achieved with both single-drug and multidrug chemotherapy protocols. However, the remissions are short-lived, and no one drug or combination of drugs appears to be superior. In a large blinded study, 103 patients randomized to 3000 cGy of electron-beam therapy followed by chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, etoposide, and vincristine were compared to a group of patients treated with topical HN₂ progressing to PUVA if necessary. After a median follow-up of 75 months, there was no difference in response rates or survival in the two groups.

Kaye F, Bunn P, Steinberg S, et al: A randomized trial comparing combination electron-beam radiation and chemotherapy with topical therapy in the initial treatment of mycosis fungoides, N Engl J Med 321:1784–1790, 1989.