1. Unusual Name, Uncommon Cancer
Our bone marrow is a living, dynamic organ that manufactures cells vital to life. In addition to manufacturing blood cells, the bone marrow makes T-cell lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. When T-cell lymphocytes are abnormal and divide without control or order, cancer forms. The word "cutaneous" means skin. If the cancerous T-cell lymphocytes affect the skin, the doctor diagnoses the patient with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Only about 1,500 patients receive this diagnosis each year, compared to more than 58,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma each year.
2. More than a Rash
It's difficult to find cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in the earliest stages because the skin symptoms resemble less serious conditions, such as eczema or allergies. In the beginning, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can cause itching, dryness or a rash. Over time, the rashes can progress to thickened patches on the skin that may appear rough or scaly. If the disease progresses unchecked, patients may develop skin ulcerations that don't heal. Patients with any of these symptoms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma must see a dermatologist for a biopsy to examine an abnormal piece of skin under a microscope. Sometimes the doctor must perform multiple biopsies to diagnose cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
3. Waging War on Cancer
People unfamiliar with the medicinal uses of nitrogen mustard might think of this chemical as something used only in warfare or chemical terrorism. However, under strict control, nitrogen mustard is an effective topical chemotherapy agent for patients with early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Doctors apply this cancer drug to the skin in an ointment or gel formulation to kill lymphoma cells. The drug does cause irritation, so patients must follow the doctor's skin-care instructions during treatment.
4. The Healing Power of Light
We know the sun, with its powerful ultraviolet rays, has the potential to damage our skin. However, doctors can harness the healing power of ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B light to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Patients first take a drug, Psoralen, to increase the cancer cells' sensitivity to the light. Patients may receive this treatment for over a year if the cancer continues to respond.
5. New Treatments on the Horizon
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a rare cancer, so it's not usually profitable for pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs targeting this cancer. However, as any patient or family member of someone with this cancer would share, it's essential to find better ways to treat it, as current standard treatments don't usually result in a cure. In 1983, the federal government mandated the U.S. Orphan Drug Act to provide incentives to companies researching new drugs for rare diseases, including skin lymphomas. This act led to the development of three new drugs for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Targretin, Ontak and Zolinza.
