T-cell lymphoma is actually a group of rare blood cancers, accounting for only about 15 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the United States, according to 2008 information from the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Because they are so rare, not much research has been done on many of the forms of T-cell lymphoma that exist. Support groups, such as the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Lymphoma Support Network can help those affected by these rare diseases by putting them in contact with others who have dealt with these types of diseases.
Biology
T cells are a type of immune cell, or white blood cell, responsible for detecting and destroying foreign antigens that come into the body and infected cells. T cells, along with B cells, are known as lymphocytes, and cancer of these cells is called lymphoma. Since lymphocytes can travel any place in the body through the blood and lymphatic systems, lymphomas can affect many different organs.
Types
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma affects the skin as well as the blood, causing rashes, lesions, or tumors to grow where the malignant T cells come to the surface. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a group of highly aggressive lymphomas that affect the immune system. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is a fast-growing type of lymphoma. Other less common varieties include adult T-cell lymphoma, nasal T-cell lymphoma, blastic NK-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. In some cases, diagnosis of the specific type may be difficult, since they may look similar under a microscope.
Causes
Many types of T-cell lymphoma develop spontaneously with no known cause. However, some types are linked to an infection called HTLV-1, which is more prevalent in Japan and China than in the United States. Sometimes, lymphomas develop in response to another medical procedure, such as a bone marrow or organ transplant.
Treatment
The specific treatment for a given T-cell lymphoma depends upon the type of lymphoma it is and the specific condition of the patient. Common treatments include bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Sometimes, a combination of multiple chemotherapy drugs is used. For cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, treatment with ultraviolet light may be an option. Many clinical trials are ongoing to study new treatments against these diseases.
Prognosis
Because there are so many different types of T-cell lymphomas and these diseases are so rare, the prognosis for them is not well defined. Sometimes, patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma lead normal lives without further complications. Some varieties, such as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, tend to be slow growing and highly treatable. Individuals with more aggressive and deadly forms, such as angioimmunoblastic lymphoma, may have limited life expectancy and require highly aggressive treatment.
