A type of cancer that develops in white blood cells is called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It happens quite rarely and begins in the while blood cells called T cells (also known as T lymphocytes). In normal circumstances, white blood cells help the body’s immune system fight against germs. When a person develops this cancer type, white blood cells attack the skin.
The most common symptoms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) are raised or scaly round patches and other growths (sometimes) on the skin. Generally, there are several types of CTCL. Check below the most common ones:
- Mycosis fungoides – This is the most common type of CTCL. It often grows slowly and negatively affects the skin. Most people with mycosis fungoides may notice patches of affected skin.
- Sezary syndrome – This is a less common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, but it grows and spreads quite fast. It affects the skin and blood, and over time, may cause a rash of the entire body.
Treatment for people with CTCL is usually different because it depends on multiple factors. For example, your age and preferences, the severity, location, and type of the cancer, and others. Usually, doctors recommend skin creams, light therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
This type of cancer is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The only difference between cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) is where the abnormal cells begin to develop and multiply. Furthermore, CTCL happens more commonly than CBCL.
Symptoms
People with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Scaly or raised skin that often appears on the skin that does not get sun
- Itching
- Patches of skin that look pink, red, brown, gray, or lighter in color compared to nearby skin
- Lumps on the skin
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Hair loss
- Thickening of the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- An itchy rash that appears on all the skin
If you experience any of the previous symptoms or any that cause concerns, immediately visit your healthcare professional.
Causes
Healthcare professionals cannot identify the exact cause of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma every time. While it affects the skin, abnormal cells begin to develop in white blood cells known as T cells. Generally, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma appears when T cells develop DNA changes (mutations). DNA contains specific instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. However, mutated DNA gives the cells different instructions that cause them to grow and multiply abnormally. Moreover, these cells live longer than healthy ones. When cancerous cells become too numerous, they form a mass called a tumor. If you do not get treatment, the tumor may break and spread throughout the body. In such cases, this cancer is called metastatic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
While in people with mycosis fungoides the cancer affects the skin tissue only, in those who suffer from Sezary syndrome, the cancer is present in the blood too.
Risk Factors
Some factors may put you at increased risk of developing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Examples include:
- Age – Older people are more prone to develop this type of cancer. However, it may happen at any age as well.
- Sex – CTCL is more common in people assigned male at birth compared to people assigned female at birth.
- Race – Black people are at higher risk of developing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma compared to other races.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this type of cancer.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually diagnose this type of cancer by performing some examinations and tests to check for symptoms and signs linked with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. These include a physical examination, blood tests, biopsies, imaging tests, and others. Sometimes, it is challenging to diagnose CTCL because there are other skin conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as eczema.
- A physical exam – During this examination, physicians look for skin changes that are linked with this type of cancer. These include scaly areas, growths, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Blood tests – Physicians usually perform a complete blood count to check for cancer cells. It is often used when Sezary syndrome is suspected.
- Skin biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small sample of the affected skin and testing it in the laboratory for cancerous cells. To get the sample, doctors often use a small knife.
- Imaging tests – Healthcare professionals usually perform CT (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or PET (positron emission tomography) scans to determine whether the cancer has spread to other body structures or organs.
Treatment
Generally, there are multiple treatments for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, doctors recommend different treatments for people with CTCL because it depends on several factors. For example, your age and preferences, the severity, size, and exact location of the cancer, overall health, and others. Check below some treatments that are often recommended by doctors for people with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma:
Topical Medicines
These medications come in creams, gels, and ointments that are applied to the skin. Topical medications for people with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma often include:
- Steroid medications – Steroids help lessen rash and itchiness.
- Chemotherapy medicines – This group of medicines is used to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
Light Therapy
This treatment involves shining a certain type of light to destroy cancer cells. During this therapy, a person stays in an area where specific lamps shine on the skin. In some cases, doctors may prescribe some medicines that help destroy cancer cells with light. This treatment is often called photodynamic therapy.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment uses powerful energy beams that are delivered exactly to the affected area to destroy cancer cells. This energy often comes from protons, X-rays, and other sources.
Other Medications
While some medicines are given orally, others are given intravenously (IV). Check below some medicines often recommended by doctors for people with CTCL:
- Chemotherapy – This involves strong medications that destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
- Targeted therapy – This treatment involves specific medicines that block certain proteins in the cancer cells, causing them to die.
- Immunotherapy – Usually, cancer cells produce certain substances that help them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy boosts the immune system, which helps find and destroy cancer cells.
Bone Marrow Transplant
This option is often recommended by doctors for people with end-stage CTCL. It involves healthy bone marrow stem cells inserted into the body. It helps replace cells damaged by chemotherapy and other treatments. Sometimes, doctors recommend a bone marrow transplant for people with recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the survival rate for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma?
Generally, the 10-year survival rate for people with early-stage cancer is approximately 90%. When the cancer advances, this survival rate decreases to 53%.
Is cutaneous T-cell lymphoma curable?
Generally, this type of cancer cannot be cured, but can be managed with multiple treatments. Moreover, a lot of people with CTCL can have long-term remission and a high quality of life after treatments.
What are the first symptoms of T-cell lymphoma?
Usually, people with this cancer experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Night sweats
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Rash
- Itching
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unusual weight loss
If you experience any of the previous symptoms or others that cause concerns, immediately contact your doctor. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
