Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)?

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from skin-homing T-cells, comprising 5-10% of skin lymphomas. Main subtypes are mycosis fungoides (MF, 50-70%, indolent) and Sézary syndrome (SS, aggressive with blood involvement). In 2025, ~3,000 US cases annually, median age 50-60, more in men and Black individuals.

Symptoms

Symptoms include itchy, scaly red patches/plaques (early MF), thickened skin (tumors in advanced), erythroderma (full-body redness in SS), enlarged lymph nodes, and B symptoms (fever, weight loss). SS causes severe itching, skin cracking, and infections. Symptoms progress slowly over years.

Causes

Causes involve T-cell mutations, with risk factors like immunosuppression, eczema, or occupational exposures (chemicals). HTLV-1 virus links to rare cases. In 2025, STAT3/JAK mutations are key, with environmental triggers suspected.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses skin biopsy with immunohistochemistry (CD4+, CD3+), blood tests for Sézary cells, flow cytometry, and imaging (PET/CT) for staging. Molecular testing for TCR rearrangements confirms clonality. In 2025, NGS identifies mutations for therapy.

Treatment

Early-stage uses skin-directed therapies (topical steroids, phototherapy, radiation). Advanced involves systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy (mogamulizumab for CCR4+), or targeted therapy (brentuximab for CD30+). SCT for aggressive cases. In 2025, bispecific antibodies show 40% response.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 80-90% for early MF, 20-30% for SS. Targeted therapies improve advanced survival to 50%. By 2030, CAR-T and epigenetics could achieve 70% survival, focusing on early intervention.

Sources

The information for CTCL is drawn from Mayo Clinic’s “Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Cleveland Clinic’s “Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)” for understanding; Lymphoma.org’s “Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma” for symptoms; Healthgrades’s “Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments” for causes; AAD’s “Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Diagnosis & treatment” for treatment; Johns Hopkins’s “Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma | Johns Hopkins Medicine” for symptoms; Lymphoma Action’s “Skin (cutaneous) T-cell lymphoma” for overview; Barnes Jewish’s “Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma | Health Library” for details; CL Foundation’s “Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma” for subtypes; Duke Health’s “Cutaneous Lymphoma” for treatment.