Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects the immune system and causes rashes and tumors on the skin. It can spread easily to other areas of the body and is diagnosed through a skin biopsy. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, phototherapy, and other therapies depending on the progression of the disease.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a disease that affects the immune system. It is considered a cancer and is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The mutations occur with T cells, which typically move into the outer layers of the skin. Rashes and eventually tumors can be seen on the skin, which are telltale signs of mutated cell migration. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can spread easily to nearby tissues, resulting in the formation of tumors in other areas of the body.
The only way to correctly diagnose this disease is to do a skin biopsy. A skin sample is then placed under a microscope to check for cell mutations. Although this disease has no cure and there is a risk of it spreading to other areas of the body, it does not progress easily. Only a small fraction of people who have this condition will develop cancer. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma has four stages that can indicate how far the disease has progressed.
The first stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a rash similar to eczema or psoriasis. It can also be extremely itchy and scaly. During this time, the T cells did not produce any tumors. With stage two and stage three lymphoma, the skin is still scaly and red, but you may also see an enlarged lymph node in the neck or groin. The worst-case scenario of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is stage four, which means there are obvious changes in the skin and cancer cells have been found in the lymph nodes and some organs.
There are a variety of treatments for T-cell skin cancer. Chemotherapy involves targeting the cancer cells with drugs that enter the bloodstream. These drugs fight the offending cancer cells. Radiation therapy can eradicate cancer cells by sending a beam of radiation that helps shrink or stop the growth of tumors. Phototherapy uses a combination of drugs and ultraviolet light to kill cancer cells.
Other types of therapies may be used for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, all of which depend on the progression of the disease. Clinical or newer technologies are also used to fight this type of cancer. They can be used alone or alongside a conventional treatment. The patient’s health may also be a contributing factor in choosing a treatment option.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
