Cutaneous Lymphoma Cancer

The cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a disease of T lymphocytes The cutaneous T cell usually grows slowly over periods of several years. In the early stages the patient may feel itchy skin and dry areas and presenting dark.

As the disease progresses, tumors may appear on the skin, a clinical condition called mycosis fungoides.

The higher the skin area affected by the disease, the greater the possibility that the skin is infected. The disease can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs of the body such as the spleen, liver and lungs. When a large number of tumor cells is found in lymph nodes, this condition is called Sezary Syndrome.

The patient who presents symptoms of cutaneous lymphoma should consult a doctor for a biopsy (removal of a portion of skin grown to be observed under a microscope).
Treatment
The treatment can be successfully used in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, depending on the classification there are three types of treatments may be employed:

- Radiation therapy: use of high-energy rays to eliminate cancer cells.

- Chemotherapy: the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.

- Phototherapy: use of light and special medications to cause cancer cells to become more sensitive to light.

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, reducing the size of tumors. For the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, generally utilize special rays of small particles called electrons, which are applied across the skin.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be administered systemically, where the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body and eliminate cancer cells and may be administered orally, intravenously or intramuscularly.

In cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chemotherapy drugs may also be administered in the form of cream or lotion, when the disease is localized in the application directly to the skin, called topical chemotherapy.

Phototherapy consists of using light to eliminate cancer cells in the skin. The patient receives a drug that makes cancer cells become sensitive to light and then a special light is focused on the cancer cells to destroy them.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is used to replace bone marrow affected by a healthy bone marrow. The procedure consists in the destruction of the patient's bone marrow with high doses of chemotherapy with or without radiation. Then marrow from a donor is transplanted. The patient receiving the donor marrow by intravenous infusion.

In autologous bone marrow to the patient's bone marrow is collected and treated with drugs in order to eliminate cancerous cells. Then the bone is frozen and preserved. The patient then receives high-dose chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy to destroy the rest of your very marrow. After this procedure, the stored marrow is thawed and infused into the patient replacing then your bone marrow.
Prevention
Living with CTCL: Tips & Advice
The diagnosis of lymphoma can cause a deep emotional response to patients, family members, friends and others. Denial, depression, despair, and fear are common reactions.

The no understanding of what is happening, the unknown, what will happen next, are issues that patients should discuss thoroughly and often with their families, doctors and nurses. Emotional stress can be compounded by difficulties at work, in business or in interaction with family and friends. Comprehensive explanations, approaching prospects of remission and treatment plans, may bring relief in emotional terms, helping the patient to focus on treatment that lies ahead and the prospects for recovery.

Family members or loved ones may have questions about chemotherapy and alternative methods of treatment. It is best to talk directly with the doctor about any questions regarding treatment. The problems and reactions should be discussed with health professionals who understand the complexity of emotions and the special needs of those living with lymphoma. In all these situations, the psychologist or psycho-oncologist can help.