Definition:
Sezary syndrome also referred to as Sezary's disease is a rare type of cutaneous lymphoma characterized by skin redness, leukemia and enlarged lymph nodes. It is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, which is a cancerous disease involving the skin. This is a disease marked by a great increase of the white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes.
Diagnosis:
People with lesion that do not response to normal medications are required to undergo a blood test in order to monitor the change in the level of lymphocytes in the blood. After which, a skin biopsy is often ordered to confirm diagnosis and to rule out other possible causes of the lesion.
Treatment:
Early stages of Sezary syndrome might be treated with skin therapy directly on the skin like topical medications, superficial radiotherapy and phototherapy. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are required treatments for advanced stages of the disease. A medication named Vorinostat is considered as a second-line drug for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma combined with phototherapy and chemotherapy.
Symptoms and Signs:
Sezary syndrome usually develops slowly within many years. Initial symptoms usually appear on the skin including skin redness, itching and often dry and dark patches on the skin.
Other symptoms may include:
• Leukemia
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Dystrophic nails
• Hair loss or balding (alopecia)
• Swelling
Causes:
At present, there is still no known cause for the development of Sezary Syndrome.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
