Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

In this article we aim to present you some basic information regarding a particular form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is called Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (usually abbreviated as CTCL). This medical condition is quite rare, as only 1 in 20 of all diagnosed medical cases of patients suffering from NHL develop it. This medical condition is a cancerous disease that affects the patient’s T-lymphocytes. Clinical tests have shown that patients between 40 and 60 years old are actually more prone to developing this medical condition.  Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma generally affects the patient’s skin. It is known that this medical disorder’s cause is the abnormally high growth of the patient’s T-cells (one of the white blood cells that are naturally found in the patient’s organism). Like most other medical conditions, Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma presents itself in various forms. The most commonly encountered are Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides. The first (Sezary syndrome) affects large areas of the patient’s skin. However, it can also affect the patient’s lymph glands. Because of these disturbances unnatural T-lymphocytes develop in the patient’s blood. The latter form of this medical disorder (Mycosis fungoides) does not affect the patient’s blood.  

Unfortunately, scientists have not been able to determine the exact cause of the disturbances that finally lead to the development of CTCL. Like most other cancer diseases, this medical condition cannot be passed on to another patient, as it is not an infectious disorder. Medical diagnosis for this particular medical condition is quite easily accomplished: a small piece of the patient’s skin that belongs to one of the affected areas is carefully removed; then, the skin’s cells undergo biopsy (medical examination under a microscope). The piece of skin is generally removed while the patient is under the effects of a local anesthetic.

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Symptoms

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Treatment

There are a wide variety of treatments that have proven quite effected in most cases of patients who were suffering from Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. A patient can follow a certain therapy or a combination of two or more treatments. Most of the prophylaxis methods that have been discovered for this medical condition are suitable for all three stages of the disease. However, the appropriate therapy is chosen by taking into consideration the surface of the skin that has been severely affected.

The PUVA treatment (that is more commonly known as photo chemotherapy) is prescribed by most physicians in the case of patients who have injuries on large skin areas. This therapy is based on the intake of Psoralen (P), a medication that is able to sensitize the patient’s skin, making the ultraviolet light A (UVA) therapy much more effective. After the medication has been completely absorbed by the patient’s skin, he or she must enter a sterile cabinet (an enclosed air-conditioned room) where he or she will receive the ultraviolet light treatment. Undergoing this therapy is similar to sitting under a normal sunlamp. Most patients have to undergo this therapy a few times per week. Patients with Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma who undergo this prophylaxis will probably develop some of this therapy’s side effects: premature aging, sun tanning, and so on. While a patient is following this treatment, he or she ought to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight as this increases his or her risk of suffering from skin cancer. Furthermore, it has been clinically proven that the intake of Psoralen increases the eye’s sensitivity to light. This is why it is highly recommended for all patients who follow the PUVA therapy to wear glasses 12 hours after they have taken the medication. Other side effects of this drug include feeling of sickness, which can be easily treated with anti-emetic medications, dizziness, itching, and headache.

Another popular treatment is the one that employs ultraviolet light B (UVB). This therapy is highly effective in slowing down the growth of the patient’s skin cells, being a viable option for sufferers of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. Like the PUVA treatment, the UVB therapy requires an air-conditioned chamber with ultraviolet light, but without the intake of any type of adjacent medication. This therapy ought to be undergone for a couple of times per week in order to provide the needed benefic results. This therapy can also trigger premature skin aging and / or skin tanning. Other side effects include skin redness that is similar to that of non-severe sunburn. Patients who undergo such surgery ought to avoid further exposure to direct sun-rays in order to diminish their risk of developing skin cancer. Other effective therapies for patients who suffer from Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, intake of Interferon and / or Bexarotene, and so on.