5
Learning The Basics
In Chapter 1 we learned that cutaneous lymphomas are a distinct subset
of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and that they can be divided into
cutaneous B-cell lymphomas and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Unlike
most other types of lymphoma, which develop in lymph nodes, people
with cutaneous lymphoma have a cancer of lymphocytes that develops
primarily in the skin. While the skin is not typically considered a lymphatic
organ, it is the largest surface of interaction between the human body and
the environment, and as such is a very important battleground for normal
immune responses.
Billions of lymphocytes normally travel to the skin and make it their home
for variable lengths of times. When one of these lymphocytes mutates and
starts growing uncontrollably, people develop cutaneous lymphoma. The
course of the disease will vary depending upon the specific type (B-cell or
T-cell), the patient conditions and the stage of diagnosis.
This chapter provides an overview of terms and diagnoses that you might
encounter. It is important to know and use the most specific name possible
for your disease, so that you can understand the proper course of treatment,
what to expect, and potential outcomes. Talk with your healthcare provider
about your specific case or condition so that you are armed with the most
up-to-date and thorough knowledge possible.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)
CTCL is the acronym for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a general term for
several types of lymphomas of the skin that derive from T-cells, including
mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, primary cutaneous anaplastic large
cell lymphoma, lymphomatoid papulosis, granulomatous slack skin disease,
pagetoid reticulosis, and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma,
to name a few. Most CTCLs typically fall into the category of indolent
(i.e. chronic) lymphomas – treatable, but not curable and usually not life-
threatening.
In CTCL, malignant T-cells travel to the upper layers of the skin, causing
a rash, which leads to diagnosis. CTCL is sometimes wrongly referred to
1
Chapter 2
Overview of Cutaneous Lymphomas
