Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a class of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a type of cancer of the immune system. Unlike most non-Hodgkin lymphomas (which are generally B-cell-related), CTCL is caused by a mutation of T cells. The cancerous T cells in the body initially migrate to the skin, causing various lesions to appear. These lesions change shape as the disease progresses, typically beginning as what appears to be a rash which can be very itchy and eventually forming plaques and tumors before spreading to other parts of the body.
A point-based algorithm for the diagnosis for early forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was proposed by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas in 2005.[3]
Classification
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may be divided into the several subtypes.[4]: 727–740 Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of CTCL and is responsible for half of all cases.[5] A WHO-EORTC classification has been developed.[6][7][8][9]
There is no cure for CTCL, but there are a variety of treatment options available and some CTCL patients are able to live normal lives with this cancer, although symptoms can be debilitating and painful, even in earlier stages. FDA approved treatments include the following:[10]
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are shown to have antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties against CTCL.[11] Other (off label) treatments include:
In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted orphan drug designation for naloxone lotion as a treatment for pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma to a pharmaceutical company called Elorac.[12]
There is some evidence of a relationship with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) with the adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma subtype.[10] No definitive link between any viral infection or environmental factor has been definitely shown with other CTCL subtypes.[10]
^Khamaysi, Z.; Ben-Arieh, Y.; Izhak, OB.; Epelbaum, R.; Dann, EJ.; Bergman, R. (Feb 2008). "The applicability of the new WHO-EORTC classification of primary cutaneous lymphomas to a single referral center". Am J Dermatopathol. 30 (1): 37–44. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e31815f9841. PMID18212543. S2CID13571836.
^Saleh JS, Subtil A, Hristov AC (August 2023). "Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a review of the most common entities with focus on recent updates". Human Pathology. 138: 76–102. doi:10.1016/j.humpath.2023.06.001. PMID37307932.
^ abcdeDevata, S; Wilcox, RA (June 2016). "Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: A Review with a Focus on Targeted Agents". American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (Review). 17 (3): 225–37. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0177-5. PMID26923912. S2CID28520647.
^Turgeon, Mary Louise (2005). Clinical hematology: theory and procedures. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 283. ISBN978-0-7817-5007-3. Frequency of lymphoid neoplasms. (Source: Modified from WHO Blue Book on Tumour of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. 2001, p. 2001.)