Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) Overview

Auris Huen, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology provides an overview of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma belongs to the non-Hodgkin lymphoma class of hematologic T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a rare group of malignancies, with an incidence of 6.4 cases per 1 million people. This form of T-cell lymphoma represents around 70% of primary cutaneous lymphomas.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma attacks the the body’s immune system, specifically, the lymphatic system, affecting the two types of white blood cells (lymphocytes): B-cells and T-cells. Whereas the B-lymphocytes act to neutralize the pathogens, the main job of the T-lymphocytes is to attach to these foreign cells, viruses, or cancerous growths, and directly destroy them.

Compared with other T-cell lymphomas, a distinguishing feature of CTCL is implied by the name: malignant T-cells migrating to, and collecting in, cutaneous tissue. Diagnosis can be challenging, because the initial signs and symptoms are largely skin-related and overlap with those of many other dermatologic disorders. Adding to the challenge, CTCL variants present with overlapping symptomatology, and correct identification of the CTCL subtype is key to both treatment and prognosis. Histopathologic features must be correlated with the clinical presentation to confirm the diagnosis.

Many forms of CTCL are relatively indolent compared with other T-cell lymphomas, but there are aggressive subtypes. This is illustrated by the two most common forms of CTCL: mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. Although mycosis fungoides is considered a slow-growing variant, Sézary syndrome is aggressive and generally has a poor prognosis. Importantly, even the indolent subtypes can progress in some patients and become difficult to manage.

[jfecaz]

Thank you very much for this helpful and informative video

[kevanhubbard]

The advanced form, 2b in my case, of Mycosis Fungoides isn't very indolent as I can attest from first hand, and no pun intended as I had a finger amputated and my thumb severally damage due to it's tumours, experience!I suppose that I'm still alive whereas if I'd had been PCTL NOS I might not be might be a way of looking at levels of indolence? Mycosis Fungoides is strong too and not much seems to stop it's eventually trajectory and it shrugs off most medication except radiation treatments which stop it for a year of so as it recoups.It will also go for the lymph nodes too which will swell up.