Illness perception, coping, and quality of life in early-stage Mycosis fungoides

Background: Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Most early-stage mycosis fungoides cases follow an indolent course, hence considered by doctors a relatively easy condition. However, since mycosis fungoides bears the title of cancer, patients might perceive it differently. Objective: To investigate patients’ illness perception, and its relationships to quality of life, depression, anxiety, and coping among early-stage mycosis fungoides patients. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted. Patients from a single tertiary medical center completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, the MF/SS-CTCL Quality of Life scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and The Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. Results: Thirty patients (25 males, five females, mean age 51.60) with stage I mycosis fungoides were enrolled. Mycosis fungoides had a little impact on patients’ daily life, quality of life, and levels of depression and anxiety, and they generally coped well. Disease understanding was low and was negatively correlated with impairment to quality of life and depression. Patients felt that stress and worry were features of the disease's etiology. Study limitations: A small sample of patients was included. Conclusion: Patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides adapt well to their disease. Psychological interventions should be aimed at improving patients coping style and enhancing illness understanding, in order to maintain high quality of life.