Treatment

The treatment of mastocytosis depends on the symptoms of the disease, its extent, and the person’s overall health. In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan.

There is no cure for mastocytosis, although several treatments can be used to relieve symptoms and remove mastocytoma (tumors). One important treatment for mastocytosis is to avoid anything that may cause a release of mast cell histamine, such as extreme temperatures, alcohol, emotional stress, insect bites, and certain medications.

This section outlines treatments that are the standard of care (the best treatments available) for this specific type of disease. Patients are also encouraged to consider clinical trials as a treatment option when making treatment plan decisions. A clinical trial is a research study to test a new treatment to prove it is safe, effective, and possibly better than standard treatment. Your doctor can help you review all treatment options. For more information, visit the clinical trials section.

Medications

Antihistamines can help relieve symptoms, such as itching, flushing, and other skin reactions. Other medications can help relieve diarrhea and stomach pain. Steroids may be used to reduce the size of skin lesions. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used with caution, as these medicines may trigger the release of histamine and can cause severe reactions. Often, people being treated for mastocytosis will carry a syringe of epinephrine (a hormone made by the adrenal glands) in case of emergency, such as a severe allergic reaction.

Ultraviolet light

Sometimes, the rashes may be exposed to a source of ultraviolet (UV) light to relieve symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery may be performed to remove lesions. Many surgeries on the skin can be performed quickly and easily.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is sometimes used when mastocytosis has become cancerous.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications you've been prescribed, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions through Cancer.Net's Drug Information Resources , which provides links to searchable drug databases.

Stem cell transplantation/bone marrow transplantation

Stem cell transplantation is not used frequently in people with mastocytosis because treatment results are inconsistent and because there are significant risks to this treatment approach.

Learn more by reading the Cancer.Net Feature series Understanding Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: During Treatment.