Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• CTCL

Disorder Subdivisions

• Mycosis Fungoides
• Sezary Syndrome
• Granulomatous Slack Skin
• Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphomas
• Lymphomatoid Papulosis
• Subcutaneous Panniculitic T-Cell Lymphoma
• Pagetoid Reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp Disease)

General Discussion

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a group of disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of malignant T-cells in the skin potentially resulting in the development of rashes, plaques and tumors. CTCLs belong to a larger group of disorders known as non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), which are related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas). Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect the body against infection and disease. It consists of a network of tubular channels (lymph vessels) that drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of the body into the bloodstream. Lymph accumulates in the tiny spaces between tissue cells and contains proteins, fats, and certain white blood cells known as lymphocytes.

There are two main types of lymphocytes: B-lymphocytes, which may produce specific antibodies to "neutralize" certain invading microorganisms, and T-lymphocytes, which may directly destroy microorganisms or assist in the activities of other lymphocytes. CTCLs result from errors in the production of T-lymphocytes or transformation of T-lymphocytes into malignant cells. In CTCLs abnormal, uncontrolled growth and multiplication (proliferation) of malignant T-lymphocytes result in accumulation of these lymphocytes in the skin. In some cases, malignant lymphocytes may spread to affect the lymph nodes and eventually to other bodily tissues and organs, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The specific symptoms and physical findings may vary from case to case, depending upon the extent and region(s) of involvement, the specific type of CTCL present, and various additional factors.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, such as CTCLs, may also be categorized based upon certain characteristics of the cancer cells as seen under a microscope and how quickly they may tend to grow and spread. For example, CTCLs may be characterized as "low-grade" (or indolent) lymphomas, which tend to grow slowly and result in few associated symptoms, or "intermediate-grade" or "high-grade" (aggressive) lymphomas, which typically grow rapidly, requiring prompt treatment. Most cases of CTCL, especially the classic form (mycosis fungoides), are slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas.
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Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave
3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)949-5213
Fax: (914)949-6691
Tel: (800)955-4572
Email: infocenter@LLS.org
Internet: http://www.LLS.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

Mycosis Fungoides Network
Department of Dermatology
Pavillion A3
UC Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0523
Fax: (513)558-3531

National Cancer Institute Physician Data Query (PDQ) Cancer Information Service
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (800)422-6237
Internet: http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/pdq.html

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: 3014353848
Tel: 8004226237
TDD: 8003328615
Internet: http://www.cancer.gov

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite770
Silver Spring, MD 20910-5600
Tel: (301)650-9127
Fax: (301)565-9670
Tel: (877)622-7937
Email: infor@canceradvocacy.org
Internet: http:// www.canceradvocacy.org

Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Suite A
Chester, NJ 07930
Tel: (908)879-4039
Fax: (908)879-6518
Tel: (877)467-3638
Email: info@cancerhopenetwork.org
Internet: http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource
3400 Spruce Street
2 Donner
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283
USA
Tel: 2153495445
Fax: 2153495445
Email: editors@oncolink.upenn.edu
Internet: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

Lymphoma Research Foundation
111 Broadway
19th Floor
New York, NY 10006
USA
Tel: 2123492910
Fax: 2123492886
Tel: 8002356848
Email: LRF@lymphoma.org
Internet: http://www.lymphoma.org

Canadian Cancer Society
10 Alcorn Avenue
Suite 200
Toronto
Toronto, M4V 3B1
Canada
Tel: (416) 961-7223
Fax: (416) 961-4189
Tel: (888) 939-3333
Email: ccs@cancer.ca
Internet: http://www.cancer.ca/

Lymphoma Foundation Canada
16-1375 Southdown Road
Suite 236
Mississauga
Ontario, L5J 2Z1
Canada
Tel: (905) 822-5135
Fax: (905) 278-1524
Tel: 866) 659-5556
Email: info@lymphoma.ca
Internet: http://www.lymphoma.ca

Lymphoma Association (UK)
PO Box 386
Haddenham
Aylesbury
Bucks, Intl HP20 2GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 01296 619400
Email: lymphoma.org.uk
Internet: http://www.lymphoma.org.uk

International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education
4853 Cordell Avenue
Suite 14
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: (301)656-3461
Fax: (301)654-8684
Tel: (800)422-7361
Email: info@icare.org
Internet: http://www.icare.org

Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley, AZ 85614
USA
Tel: 5206255495
Fax: 6155264921
Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Internet: http://www.rare-cancer.org

Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation
PO Box 374
Birmingham, MI 48012
USA
Tel: 2486449014
Fax: 2486449014
Email: info@clfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.clfoundation.org

Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: (703)302-1503
Fax: (703)302-1568
Email: info@focr.org
Internet: http://www.focr.org

UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
Tel: (415)353-2986
Fax: (415)353-2600
Internet: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html

Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202)659-9709
Fax: (202)659-9301
Tel: (888)793-9355
Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org
Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin, TX 78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
Tel: (866)235-7205
Internet: http://www.livestrong.org