Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma - An overview

Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are malignant lymphoproliferative disorders of mature T-lymphocytes. The term cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is used to emphasize the most important unifying feature of these diseases, namely, the preferential infiltration of the skin with neoplastic T-lymphocytes. Although the different treatments administered to the skin result in temporary responses, their curative potential needs to be confirmed by long-term follow-up. Combined total skin electron beam therapy and total nodal irradiation is a relatively safe treatment, and early results in patients with disease limited to the skin are encouraging. Available systemic treatments are palliative at best, and there is a need for more effective systemic treatments to alter the natural course of the disease.