Cutaneous lymphoma

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.

Lymphocyte A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes (white blood cells) are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. T cell A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. Also called T lymphocyte and thymocyte. White blood cell A type of blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in the blood and lymph tissue. White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system and help the body fight infection and other diseases. A type of blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in the blood and lymph tissue. White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system. They help the body fight infection and other diseases. Types of white blood cells include granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils), monocytes and lymphocytes (T cells and B cells). Checking the number of white blood cells in the blood is usually part of a complete blood cell (CBC) test. It may be used to look for conditions such as infection, inflammation, allergies and leukemia. Also called leukocyte and WBC.

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.

B cell A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. B cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Lymphocyte A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes (white blood cells) are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. T cell A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. Also called T lymphocyte and thymocyte.
Cutaneous B cell lymphomas

Cutaneous B cell lymphomas (CBCLs) are nearly always slow growing (indolent), with a few exceptions. Prognosis (chance of recovery) from CBCL is usually very good, although many people can experience relapse after initially responding to treatment. CBCLs rarely transform into aggressive, widespread lymphomas. CBCLs can affect any age group and affect men and women equally.

There are four types of CBCL:

  • Primary cutaneous follicle-center lymphoma, the most common B cell lymphoma of the skin, tends to be found on the scalp, forehead, or torso. It is slow growing and is typically found in middle-aged adults
  • Primary cutaneous marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma, also slow growing, is the second most common form of CBCL. It is commonly found on extremities and sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the arms. Often there is only one to a few lesions. It occurs at any age and is usually curable.
  • Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (leg type) is different than the others. It is a rapidly growing lymphoma that begins, as the name implies, mainly on the lower legs. It occurs most often in older people, and is more common in women than men. In this more aggressive type, the lesions may grow into large tumors that extend deep into the body, they may become open sores, and may spread to lymph nodes and internal organs. These lymphomas often require more intensive treatment.
  • Primary cutaneous diffuse large B cell lymphoma (other) are rare skin lymphomas, including intravascular large B cell lymphoma, T cell rich large B cell lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma, and anaplastic B cell lymphoma. They develop on other (non-leg) sites in the body and can also develop inside blood vessels under the skin. They are typically manifestations of systemic lymphomas. Like the leg type, they tend to require intensive treatment.
B cell A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. B cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. B-cell lymphoma A type of cancer that forms in B cells (a type of immune system cell). B-cell lymphomas may be either indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing). Most B-cell lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas. A type of cancer that forms in B cells (a type of immune system cell). B-cell lymphomas may be either indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing). Most B-cell lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas. There are many different types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. These include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. Prognosis and treatment depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. Prognosis A statement about the likely outcome of a disease in a patient. Relapse The recurrence (return) of disease after an apparent recovery. T cell A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. Also called T lymphocyte and thymocyte.
Cutaneous T cell lymphomas

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is one of the most common forms of T cell lymphoma and includes:

  • Mycosis fungoides, a T cell type, the most common type of CTCL. It accounts for about 50 percent of all cutaneous lymphomas. It is a low-grade lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Generally it is slow to progress and often remains confined to the skin. While it can occur at any age, it is mostly found in patients in their 50s and 60s and is found about twice as often in men. Mycosis fungoides is typically slow growing.
  • Sezary syndrome, which affects both the skin and the peripheral blood, making it a leukemic form of CTCL. It tends to be more aggressive than mycosis fungoides. Sezary syndrome can affect people of any age, but it usually occurs in people over age 50 and is slightly more common in men.
  • Cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, (ALCL) usually starts as a single tumor that is confined to the skin. It is less aggressive than systemic ALCL. Relapses, which occur frequently, are generally confined to the skin and are treated as a slow growing (indolent) lymphoma. While it can occur in children, it is generally found in people in their 50s and 60s and is found twice as often in men.
  • Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma is very rare. It causes nodules deep in the skin and while it is most often found in the legs, it can occur anywhere on the body. This slow growing cutaneous lymphoma affects people of all ages and both sexes equally.
  • Primary cutaneous peripheral T cell lymphoma includes several types of rare cutaneous lymphomas that don’t fit into any of the other categories, including a) primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, b) cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma, and c) primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. Skin lymphomas that don't fall into any of these three categories are called primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified.
  • Lymphomatoid papulosis, or LyP, is a skin condition with features that are similar to primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma. While LyP is classified as pre-cutaneous T cell lymphoma, it is a chronic skin condition that may come and go spontaneously, even without treatment. The American Cancer Society does not classify it as a form of cancer.
Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. Relapse The recurrence (return) of disease after an apparent recovery. T cell A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. A type of white blood cell. T cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. Also called T lymphocyte and thymocyte.
Staging

Staging is the process of determining the extent (spread) of the disease. Staging is very important because your treatment and the prognosis (chance of recovery) depend on the stage of your cancer. Physical exams, imaging tests (such as a CT scan), biopsies, and blood tests are used to determine stage.

Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are staged differently than the rest of the cutaneous lymphomas. They are grouped into overall stages of I, II, III, and IV, which may be further subdivided into A and B.

Stage I.

Thin patches or plaques on the skin. There are no tumors and no involvement of the lymph nodes.

Stage II.

There are few or no tumors. Lymph nodes may be normal or enlarged but are not cancerous.

Stage III.

Skin lesions cover at least 80 percent of the body; lymph nodes may be normal or enlarged but are not cancerous.

Stage IV.

Skin lesions may cover any amount of skin; lymph nodes may be normal or enlarged and may be cancerous; lymphoma cells may or may not have spread to other organs or tissues, such as the liver or spleen; there may be cancerous lymphocytes in the blood.

A TNM staging system, which is quite complex, is used for the other cutaneous lymphomas, including primary cutaneous follicle-center lymphoma.

  • T describes how much of the skin is affected by the lymphoma (tumor)
  • N describes the extent of the lymphoma in the lymph nodes
  • M describes the spread (metastases) of the lymphoma to other organs
Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Computed tomography A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. This scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working. Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Lymphocyte A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes (white blood cells) are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. Prognosis A statement about the likely outcome of a disease in a patient. Spleen An organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells and destroys old blood cells. It is on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach. Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. Staging Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

Risk factors & symptoms

Risk factors

The risk factors for cutaneous lymphoma are much the same as the risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including age, gender, and immune deficiency and infections.

Most cases of cutaneous lymphoma have no known cause, so it is difficult to prevent; however, keeping your immune system healthy by avoiding risk factors for HIV/AIDS may lower your risk.

Because this is a skin disease, it is often noticed fairly quickly. Unfortunately, cutaneous lymphomas can frequently resemble other, more common diseases of the skin, such as eczema or psoriasis, often leading to delays in diagnosis especially with early disease.

Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.
Symptoms

The symptoms of cutaneous lymphoma depend on the type you have, but may include:

  • Patchy, scaly red or purple patches, lumps or bumps on or under the skin
  • Widespread, itchy rash
  • Thickened skin
  • Red pimples, nodules or plaques on your scalp, forehead, or body

You should see a doctor if you notice a new skin lesion, especially if it is raised, doesn’t go away, or changes in shape or size.

Cutaneous lymphoma can only be diagnosed with tests, including blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies. A biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken and viewed under a microscope or evaluated using laboratory tests.

Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Lesion An area of abnormal tissue. A lesion may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.