CUTANEOUS T-CELL LYMPHOMA

WHAT IS CTCL?

• Cancer of the white blood cells that primarily involve the skin
• It is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma
• Typically presents with red, scaly patches or thickened plaques of skin.
• Often mimics eczema or chronic dermatitis
• Progression may accompany tumor formation, ulceration and exfoliation

WHAT IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF THE BODY?

THE DIAGNOSIS

• Usually made by Dermatologist
• Physical examination and history
• Blood tests
• Skin biopsy/lymph node biopsy
• Series of imaging (CT, MRI, PET)

THE STAGES

• Stage I: Less than 10% of skin affected w/ raised red patches on skin
• Stage II: Same as above plus lymph nodes are enlarged but not cancerous
• Stage III: More than 80% of skin is erythromeric. Lymph nodes may or may not be affected.
• Stage IV: Now malignant and metastisized to other organs

TREATMENT

• Topical chemotherapy
• Local radiation
• Methotrexate
• Photopheresis
• Phototherapy

ADVANCED THERAPY

• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Combination chemo is last resort

EFFECTS OF TREATMENTS

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Fever
• Chills
• Dizziness

SYNOPSIS

• T-cell lymphoma accounts for 15% of NHL's
• Most CTCL's are indolent- treatable, not curable and not life-threatening.
• Red, scaly rash that mimic eczema or chronic dermatitis
• Typically found by a Dermatologist

WORKS CITIED

• macmillan.org
• wikipedia.org
• cancercenter.com
• IIS.com
• clfoundation.org