Cutaneous lymphoma facts
Cutaneous lymphomas, also known as lymphomas of the skin, are cancers of the lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) that are primarily in the skin, but may involve the lymph nodes, blood, and other organs. All cutaneous lymphomas are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
American Cancer Society estimates that there were approximately 3,500 newly diagnosed cases of cutaneous lymphoma in 2012. While cutaneous lymphomas are rare, accounting for about 5 percent of all NHL, approximately 18,000 people in the United States are estimated to have cutaneous T cell lymphoma.
Types
Classification of cutaneous lymphomas is based on the type of lymphocyte, B cell or T cell, using a combination of microscopic examination and laboratory tests that identify proteins on the lymphoma cells. There are approximately 13 types and subtypes of this disease, which can make classification challenging.