Treatment options include sunlight exposure, ultraviolet light, topical corticosteroids, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Lesions often initially develop on the trunk of the body in places that are rarely exposed to the sun, such as the buttocks.

[6] Hypopigmentation (when the skin is lighter than normal) of lesions are less common but can be found in children, adolescents and/or dark-skinned individuals.

[7] The advanced stage of mycosis fungoides is characterized by generalized erythroderma (red rash covering most of the body) with severe pruritus (itching) and scaling.

[8] Those that experience intense pruritus commonly indicate that it negatively affects their quality of life emotionally, functionally and physically.

[9] Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are related conditions, with the same type of cancer T-lymphocytes, that initially grow in different body compartments.

These abnormal cells have a preference for localizing and proliferating uncontrolled in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis).

[4] Several biopsies are recommended, as the key microscopic features are often absent in early MF, and a complete diagnosis requires a combination of clinical and histological study.

[13] Furthermore, long periods of treatment can alter the biopsy findings, making it difficult to distinguish from other inflammatory dermatoses.

In the tumorous stage a dense infiltrate of medium-sized lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei expands the dermis.

[citation needed] Accurate staging of mycosis fungoides is essential to determine appropriate treatment and prognosis.

[19] Staging is based on the tumor, node, metastasis, blood (TNMB) classification proposed by the Mycosis Fungoides Cooperative Group and revised by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas/European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer.

[19] Most patients with mycosis fungoides have early-stage disease (Stage IA-IIA) at the time of their initial diagnosis.

[5] PUVA is a photochemotherapy that involves topical or oral administration of the photosensitizing drug psoralen followed by skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

[21] There is no evidence to support the use of acitretin or extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP: a type of phototherapy) for treating people with mycosis fungoides.

[24] Narrowband UV-B is commonly considered for children, as opposed to Psoralen with UV-A, mechlorethamine hydrochloride, or oral bexarotene, which is often used in adults.

[30]" Popular British television actor Paul Eddington died of mycosis fungoides after living with the condition for four decades.