What is Cutaneous Lymphoma?

Cutaneous lymphoma is the general name for a group of white blood cell cancers that manifest in the inner layers of skin tissue. There are several different forms of cutaneous lymphoma, but the two most common types are B-cell and T-cell cancers. Both types are considered slow-growing tumors, and symptoms are usually mild. Cutaneous lymphomas are easy to treat, relative to most other cancers, and patients diagnosed with the condition do not typically experience long-term health problems.

Doctors are unsure what exactly causes cutaneous lymphoma. Some research suggests that environmental factors, such as irritating skin products and exposure to fungi, may play significant roles. T-cell cutaneous lymphoma is slightly more common than the B-cell variety, and males over the age of 50 are the most likely to develop either type. Unlike most other types of lymphoma, cutaneous tumors do not usually spread to other parts of the body.

In its early stages, cutaneous lymphoma does not cause noticeable physical symptoms. As the cancer progresses, a person may notice localized skin abnormalities. An area of skin may become red, scaly, itchy, and appear to be raised. Skin may begin to discolor and feel leathery after several months. Open lesions appear with some types of lymphoma, and rarely a person can experience fever and nausea.

When a primary care physician or dermatologist suspects a cutaneous lymphoma, he or she will usually refer the patient to an oncologist for additional testing. The specialist can diagnose the condition by examining skin lesions and analyzing laboratory test results from skin and blood samples. The doctor may also decide to perform a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen to make sure the cancer is limited to skin tissue. After determining the stage, exact location, and specific type of the lymphoma, the doctor can determine the best means of treating it.

Since most forms of cutaneous lymphoma are slow-growing and do not spread from the skin, doctors sometimes decide not to treat them. Instead, patients are instructed to schedule regular checkups with their oncologists to make sure their conditions do not worsen. When treatment is needed, a doctor may decide to apply topical steroid creams, expose the affected area to ultraviolet radiation, or surgically excise sections of cancerous tissue. Lymphoma that does not respond to conservative treatments and starts to spread is usually treated with radiation or chemotherapy. Most cases of cutaneous lymphoma can be eradicated, though the cancer is capable of returning several months or years after initial treatments.