General information in Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a disease of the immune system.In which T-helper cells transform into maligne cells. It develops slowly with the affectation of the skin with itchy dark patches on the skin to mushroom shaped tumors, a condition known as mycosis fungoides.
Tcells are characterized by the presence on their surface of a protein receptor known as CD4 that's why they are called CD4+. Tcells accumulate under the skin in the epidermal layer and the skin has a consequent reaction such as: lesions that itch, those lesions may be present on any part of the body. As the disease advances the lesions become red plaques after which progresses to mushroom shaped skin tumors named mycosis fungoides with the involvement of the viscera and lymph nodes.
Visceral involvement is not very high, but it appears for sure in all patients diagnosed with the disease cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is in direct proportion with the skin affectation. So when the skin is very affected we expect to find the viscera- internal organs in the abdomen affected too.
Sézary syndrome appears as a complication of the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Its symptoms are: swollen lymph nodes and a large number of abnormal cells in the blood, with atrophic and lichenified skin and intense itching or the skin may be only red overall without plaques and tumors.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma hasn't such a high incidence in United States it is more common in Eastern Europe. It is manifested more often in men than in women and in the age group of 55-60 years.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-Symptoms
The cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cause is unknown. Studies made by scientists have demonstrated that it may have a viral cause because there have been discovered viruses in the cells taken from patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, another possible cause could be the exposure to pesticides or chemicals, but there are not sufficient proofs to sustain this cause.
The most evident symptom cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is that of itching skin, the viscera may also be affected and manifests with disorders of the central nervous system, liver, lungs, upper digestive tract. Any part of the skin may be affected with the extent of the rash and tumors, the symptoms may include swelling of the lymph nodes with draining on the skin. Because cutaneous T-cell lymphoma has a slow progression it may be easily confused with any other benign disease of the skin: eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. In early stages the disease may respond well to topical corticosteroid treatments which are usually recommended in those skin disorders. So the patient may be thinking he is cured . If the testing is continued with skin biopsies and molecular studies such as: Southern blot analysis, abnormal cells are observed.
For more resources about lymphoma or even about symptoms of lymphoma please review this page http://www.lymphoma-center.com/symptoms-of-lymphoma.htm
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