Two Things Physicians Ought to Know about CTCL
Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, Clinical Professor of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Irvine and Director of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, discusses what physicians should know about cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
CTCL belongs to the non-Hodgkin lymphoma family as a rare group of maliagnancies. CTCL involves malignant T-cells migrating to, and collecting in, cutaneous tissue. This makes diagnosis challenging as the initial signs are skin-related and, therefore, overlap with many other dermatologic disorders. Additionally, CTCL variants present overlapping symptomatology, making it difficult to diagnose between CTCL subtypes. Hence, histopathologic features must be correlated with the clinical presentation to confirm diagnosis.
Dr. Pinter-Brown first urges physicians to educate themselves about CTCL as patients with CTCL are often overlooked due to the unusual presentation of the cancer. Dr. Pinter-Brown then notes that a number of treatment options are available for CTCL. As such, physicians should explain to patients, regardless of the stage of the lymphoma, that effective treatments are available.
For more information about CTCL and other rare cancers, visit checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/
-
Category
No comments found