The various treatments for lymphoma availableLymphoma occurs in two main forms, i.e. Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL- non- Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma usually results from lymphocytes or cells of immune system grow and end up multiplying uncontrollably. These cancerous lymphocytes usually travel to numerous body parts such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen and blood among other organs thus forming a mass known as a tumor. There are two major types of lymphocytes found in the body which develop into lymphomas, i.e. – B- cells and T- cells.

Cutaneous T- Cell Lymphoma- introducing the different types

CTL usually describe many different types of disorders that come with various symptoms, results and even considerations for treatment with the two very common types being sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides.

Mycosis fungoides: this is the most common form of CTL and there are between 16000 and 20000 cases diagnosed in US. In each patient, the disease has a different look and the skin symptoms usually appear as plaques, patches or even tumors. The patches are normally flat and somehow scaly and have a rash like appearance while the plaques are usually raised; thicket and the itchy lesions are normally mistaken for psoriasus, eczema or even dermatitis. The tumors are usually raised bumps and might be ulcerate or not.

Sezary syndrome: This usually refers to an advanced and variant kind of mycosis fungoides that is usually characterized by presence of the lymphoma cells in blood. About 80% of the body is covered by extensive thin, itchy and red rashes. Tumors and patches can also appear in some patients and other changes like enlarged lymph nodes, eyelids, nails or hair might be experienced.

Treatment options available

The kind of treatment selected for CTCL will usually depend on the extent at which the skin has been involved, kind of skin lesion and if the cancer has already spread to other internal organs like lymph nodes. As far as mycosis fungoides is concerned, the treatment can be directed on the entire body or at the skin. Since sezary syndrome is usually chronic and systematic, i.e. it affects the whole body, skin directed therapy alone can’t be used to treat it. The treatments availed could be described either alone or as a combination in order to achieve the most desirable long term benefit. When the disease has been treated, the patient can be able to live a very normal life.

Treatment options under investigation

Currently, there are various clinical trials that have been testing various medications that are in different stages of development. Such includes everolimus, lenalidomide, brentuximab vedotin, forodesine, panobonostat, KW0761, AP0866 and others. Keep in mind the fact that scientific research is evolving continuously and chances are high that options for treatment are going to change with the continued discovery of new treatments and as the current treatments improve. Patients should thus consult their physician for update on any improvements on medications.