Mycosis fungoides is a main subtype of a cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), in which a heterogeneous collection of lymphomas develop into malignant cancer cells, primarily affecting the skin. This disease can be distinguished from other cutaneous T cell lymphomas by its unique clinical and histologic features (Armitage et al., 2010). Mycosis fungoides can be treated several different ways and is dependent on several factors such as the stage of the cancer, health of the patient, presenting symptoms and patient-specific issues (Parker & Bradley, 2006). Traditional therapies for mycosis fungoides involved radiation therapy, oral psoralen with UVA light therapy and narrow- and broadband UVB light therapy. Recently, novel therapies have been established to treat CTCL and several of them are starting to become routine therapies for the erythrodermic subgroup of mycosis fungoides. This paper will discuss the historical background of the disease as well as the new techniques that have been used within the past few years and the traditional methods of treatment.
T cells are genetically prepared to protect and survey the human body from any environmental stressors, foreign agents and malignancy. Some of these T cells are programmed to protect the skin. Once the body is infected with T lymphocytes, the T cells infiltrate the skin, work together to eradicate the allergen and eventually they undergo the process of natural cell death. However, when specific skin-homing T lymphocytes infect the skin, they then clonally expand and are sometimes unable to exit the skin compartment. Once the lymphocytes accumulate within the skin, the reaction is then known as a rash. This proliferation of abnormal cloning of T cells within the skin distinguishes ...
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...ter researching mycosis fungoides, I have learned that the cause of this disease is unknown and unless detected at an early stage, it is most likely not curable. What are fortunate for patients with mycosis fungoides are the numerous therapeutic options which I find to be remarkable. Since the treatment options are mainly palliative, I have realized the goals of therapy for this disease are symptom relief and consideration for their quality of life. Although most techniques are chosen based upon clinical stage of the disease, what I find most promising is total skin electron beam radiation therapy. With this type of technology being around for several years, and continuously updating to modern techniques, I find it most beneficial to patients. However, there are several options available for patients and being able to combine different therapies is in their favor.
The major practical issue to be surmounted with any transplant is immunological. For a transplant to be successful the transplanted tissue must not...
...ith photodynamic therapy. Neoplastic tissues would take up compounds of photosensitizing agents, and the interaction of light with the photosensitizing agent eventually leads to the production of cytotoxic free radicles[secret]. The advantages of this treatment is that multiple lesions could be treated even though that could take more than one treatment. However, the downside to this treatment is that it is limited only to neoplasms that are at superficial level. Patients might also acquire side effects such as having photosensitization for around 4-6 weeks, or causing tissues to undergo necrosis which sloughs off after some time.[secret] The latter effect would induce pain in patients.
More specifically, atopic eczema refers to a very characteristic itchy skin rash, which usually starts in infancy or childhood. It starts to affect different parts of the skin at different stages of the person’s development, but at some point usually comprise the skin creases (flexures) of the arms and legs.
“Immune Response: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 18 Dec. 2011. .
The innate immune system is given to you at birth and always has microbes ready to fight (Joanne M. Willey, 2014). This system is very fast to detect and attempt to eliminate any invading cells. It reacts by triggering Toll-like receptors (TLRs) who then fasten to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) (Joanne M. Willey, 2014). The first line of defense in the innate immune system contains the skin and mucous membranes, along with normal microbiota (Joanne M. Willey, 2014). The second line of defense of the “early-warning” system consists of natural killer cells, phagocytes, eosinophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, inflammation, fever, and antimicrobial substances (Joanne M. Willey, 2014). Although a powerful system, it cannot take
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
Fungal infections are often uncomfortable conditions and they can have both physical and psychological consequences to the individual. Onychomycosis (OM) is one of the fungal diseases that results from a dermatophytic invasion of the nails. Fortunately, in the last few years, new oral treatment has successfully lowered the incidence of recurrence and side effects (Tosti & Piraccini, 1996).
Because of of the neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, other cells involved in the disease, we are led to a debate. Is psoriasis caused by the skin’s T cells, or just the skin? The first hypothesis was that psoriasis is a disorder of the epidermis due
Atopic dermatitis is a recurring skin condition that is characterized by inflammation and itching of the skin. In Atopic dermatitis, which can also be referred to as atopic eczema the patient has signs of redness and scaly skin. It is often accompanied by asthma and hay fever, but not always. Approximately thirty percent of children who have eczema will develop asthma later in life. Most people who develop eczema will have an outbreak before the age of two. It is estimated that only ten percent of people diagnosed with eczema are diagnosed after the age of five. It is important for eczema to be diagnosed early to prevent the recurrence of future outbreaks. Seeking treatment early can decrease sleep disturbances, scarring, discomfort, and skin infections.
Moreover, despite its teratogenic effects, there was a renewed interest in its potential to treat many diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties [16]. A historically important example is a report of its remarkable effects in the treatment of lesions associated with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) [5,6]. Erythema nodosum leprosum is an immune mediated reactional state that complicates lepromatous leprosy. It is characterized by the presence of cutaneous nodules but peripheral organs may also be affected [7]. The treatment of ENL is difficult because of prolonged requirement of high doses of steroids, which do not always control the inflammation associated with the disease. In addition, the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids may, per se, pose life-threatening risks for the patients [8]. Treatment with thalidomide provides an effective alternative to steroid therapy, as it shows better long-term control and avoids adverse effects of prolonged steroid therapy, primarily due to its action on TNF-α; thalidomide inhibits TNF-α synthesis by inducing TNF-α mRNA degradation [9, 24]. Most patients feel the benefit within 24-48 h starting at a dose of 25-200mg/d. [4]. As a consequence, in 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States approved thalidomide for use in
A 54 year old male was admitted to the hospital with a persistent cough from a cold. The male had no signs of fever, sweating,or chest pain. A CT scan that was examine detected lumps in the upper right lung and a large mass in the right middle lobe. His body temperature 36.5 C, heart rate 76 beats/min, and blood pressure 140/80 mmHg. There was no abnormal findings identified in the lung when percussion. White blood cells count 9.4x10^9/1 (normal range 4-10x10^9/1); RBC 4.5x10^12/1( normal range, 3.5-5.5x10^12/1); and hemoglobin level, 134 g/l (normal range 110-150g/l). A bronchoscopy revealed chronic mucosal inflammation in the right lobe branches.The patient was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, and the fungal infections were present due to the patient's immune system being depressed. To diagnosis histoplasmosis laboratories are done such as , cultures of bodily fluids or tissue, surface markers in urine, blood test to measure antibody response, microscopic examination of infected tissues and chest X-ray. Chest X-rays in people with acute histoplasmosis are usually normal sometimes the presence of lesions can be seen through x-rays. Histoplasmosis is usually treated antifungal drugs. There were studies for pulmonary histoplasmosis due to cases being reported. 76 cases were included for review for treatment and diagnosis. Not all the cases studied on pulmonary histoplasmosis have had contact with the fungal spore or exposure to risk factors. Other studies have
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects 125 million people world wide according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium. The origin of psoriasis is unknown, but many doctors and researches believe that genetics, along with environmental factors, trigger a hyperactive reaction of the immune system that leads to the relatively harmless, yet uncomfortable skin disease. The response of the immune system induces skin cells to multiply and mature rapidly, causing the skin cells to accumulate on top of each other and as a result, the skin becomes red, scaly, itchy, and forms thick patches on the skin. Despite that this disease is the most frequent auto-immune disease in the world, there is no cure for it. Not only is there no cure for psoriasis, but this disease can lead to other problems depending on the severeness of the disorder for example: psoriatic arthritis. However, this chronic disease has several treatment options that if used correctly and in a timely manner, will reduce and lessen the symptoms.( Although there is no cure for psoriasis, understanding how it begins, recognizing the symptoms, and learning about treatment options can enhance the quality of life for a person diagnosed with psoriasis.)
Cancer has become a very common illness world wide for any age but mostly affecting adults. One can get cancer from different places in the body that is why there are so many people with cancer, because of all the different types. Cancer can affect any gender, female or male, and any age. It varies from ovarian cancer to prostate cancer, skin cancer to lukemia. Cancer has been a problem for many years yet we have not found a cure to treat and prevent cancer. If one is affected by cancer there are treatments to help take away this illness affecting their body. This essay is about a specific type of treatment for cancer, radiation therapy. There are different types of forms of particles for radiation, for example, protons and waves like x-rays and visible light. These types of radiations are grouped on how much energy they contain because it can cause different affects. A low type of energy radiation can be radio waves and heat, also known as non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to break chemical bonds and knock electrons out of atoms, some examples of these are x-rays and ultraviolet light rays from the sun. That is why radiation is a way to treat cancer because of the strong energy it has to destroy a cancer cell, actually any cell in the body. That’s the issue with radiation therapy, is it worth the damage? It can damage any cell, wether it is healthy or cancerous, which can cause a major affect in the body later on. Although it sounds scary there are other types of treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, etc. So if radiation therapy does not sound like the best there are always other options but they do not develop the same results for radiation therapy. Rad...
Diseases of the integumentary system , Dermatologists specialize in treating diseases , disorders , and injuries of the skin , hair and nails . They treat common conditions such as acne and warts ; eczema and psoriasis ; and many more serious disease such as skin cancer . A common skin condition is Eczema it is endogenous or constitutional , however in some contexts the term dermititis and eczema are used interchangeably to refer to the symptoms of these skin conditions . There are five main types of eczema , Atopic Eczema ( which is associated with asthma and hay-fever ) , Seborrhoeic Eczema ( typically affecting the scalp , eyelids , nose , and lips ; associated with the presence of pityrosporum yeasts ; common among AIDS patients . Discoid
Kutzscher (2012) “Contact Dermatitis is found to be more common in patients age 50 and older (because of slowed epidermal cell regeneration) and in women who are employed in occupations with frequent hand washing, such as nursing and hairdressing”. Jack is presented with redness and irritation of his hands which supportive of the diagnosis. Huether & Mccance (2017) “Allergic contact dermatitis is a common form of T-cell-mediated or delayed hypersensitivity. The response is an interaction of the skin functional barrier, reaction to irritants, and neuronal responses, such as pruritus. Genetic susceptibility involves several genes including loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the epidermal protein filaggrin”. Allergic Contact Dermatitis presents many symptoms, some are noted in the scenario. Huether & Mccance (2017) “The manifestations of allergic contact dermatitis include erythema and swelling with pruritic vesicular lesions in the area of allergen contact”. Jack should be advised to wear gloves while on the job to protect his skin from known