Impact of Fitzpatrick Skin Type on Narrowband UVB Therapy Outcomes in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: A Retrospective Analysis

This retrospective analysis examined the impact of Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) on the outcomes of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) therapy in 28 patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF), a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The study found that patients with lighter skin types (FST I-II) had a higher rate of complete or partial response (93%) compared to those with medium (FST III-IV, 33%) and darker skin types (FST V-VI, 20%). The time to achieve a 50% reduction in disease severity was also shorter for lighter skin types. The findings highlight disparities in treatment response, suggesting that patients with darker skin may require different dosing strategies. The study's limitations include its small sample size and retrospective design, emphasizing the need for further research to improve care for MF patients with skin of color.