Definition:
Cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a type of cancer of the immune system.
Diagnosis:
Once the doctors suspect a lymphoma diagnosis they will do tests to confirm the diagnosis. This may include one or more biopsies (surgical removal of suspect tissue) which will be examined by an experienced pathologist to determine the type of cancer and how far it has spread.
Treatment:
There is no cure for CTCL, but there is a wide variety of treatment options available and some CTCL patients are able to live somewhat normal lives with this cancer, although symptoms can be debilitating and painful, even in earlier stages.
Causes:
Unlike most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (which are typically B-cell related), CTCL is caused by a mutation of T cells. The malignant T cells in the body are pushed to the surface of the skin in a biological process used to rid the body of offending material, resulting to various lesions to appear on the skin. These lesions change shape as the disease progresses, usually beginning as what appears to be a rash and eventually forming plaques and tumors before metastatizing to other parts of the body.
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