Vol 5, No 3 (2009)
Review paper
Published online: 2009-05-15

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The principles of the therapy of primary cutaneous lymphomas

Robert Gniadecki
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2009;5(3):103-108.

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphomas present with the mature T-cell (> 70%) or the B-cell phenotype. Primary cutaneous lymphomas are those manifesting clinically in the skin before an eventual lymph node or organ involvement. The therapy of cutaneous lymphomas needs an interdisciplinary approach involving dermatology, oncology and haematology. In the present WHO-EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas there are 19 well-defined entities among which mycosis fungoides is the most prevalent. Mycosis fungoides is an indolent, chronic lymphoma, which should primarily be managed by skin-directed therapies (phototherapy, radiotherapy), sometimes in combination with interferon or bexarotene. In more advanced stages tumor debulking or palliation can be achieved by chemotherapy. Treatment of aggressive T-cell lymphomas is difficult and systemic multiagent chemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplant have been used. Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are in most cases indolent and can easily be managed by radiotherapy.

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