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Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a class of non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma,
which is a
type of
cancer of
the immune
system.
Unlike most
non-Hodgkin's
lymphomas
(which are
generally
B-cell
related),
CTCL is
caused by a
mutation of
T cells. The
malignant T
cells in the
body are
pushed to
the surface
of the skin
in a
biological
process used
to rid the
body of
offending
material,
causing
various
lesions to
appear on
the skin.
These
lesions
change shape
as the
disease
progresses,
typically
beginning as
what appears
to be a rash
and
eventually
forming
plaques and
tumors
before
metastatizing
to other
parts of the
body.
Types
Though there are many types of CTCL and presentation can
vary from
individual
to
individual,
there are
two main
forms:
* mycosis fungoides (MF)
* Sézary syndrome (SS)
There is some dispute over whether SS is an advanced form of
MF or a
different
type of CTCL
entirely -
in either
case, the
prognosis
for SS
patients is
substantially
poorer than
for those of
MF.
Treatment
There is no cure for CTCL, but there are a variety of
treatment
options
available
and some
CTCL
patients are
able to live
somewhat
normal lives
with this
cancer,
although
symptoms can
be
debilitating
and painful,
even in
earlier
stages.
Treatments include: Topical Corticosteroids, Bexarotene Gel,
Carmustine(Nitrogen
Mustard),
Mechlorethamine,
Phototherapy
(Broad &
Narrow Band
UVB or PUVA),
Local &
Total Skin
Electron
Beam
Radiation,
Conventional
Radiation
Therapy,
Oral
Corticosteroids,
Bexarotene (Targretin®)
Capsules,
Photopheresis,
Interferons,
Denileukin
Diftitox (Ontak®),
Alemtuzumab
(Campath-1H),
Vorinostat (Zolinza®),
Methotrexate,
Pentostatin
& other
purine
analogues (Fludarabine,
2-
deoxychloroadenosine),
Liposomal
doxorubicin
(Doxil®),
Gemcitabine
(Gemzar®),
Cyclophosphamide,
oral, Bone
marrow/Stem
cell, and
Allogenic
Transplantation.
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