Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) Treatment | I D Cancer Center
Expert Skin Lymphoma Diagnosis & Personalised Treatment at I D Cancer Center, Lucknow
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that begins in the skin. It occurs when cancerous T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) migrate to the skin and cause rashes, patches, plaques, or tumors.
CTCL often progresses slowly and can be managed effectively with early diagnosis, targeted therapies, skin-directed treatments, and advanced supportive care.
What Is Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)?
CTCL is a lymphoma that primarily affects the skin but may spread to lymph nodes, blood, or other organs in advanced stages.
CTCL is a lymphoma that primarily affects the skin but may spread to lymph nodes, blood, or other organs in advanced stages.
Most Common Types
Mycosis Fungoides — the most common, slow-growing form
Sézary Syndrome — a more aggressive form with blood involvement
Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Other rare variants
Mycosis Fungoides — the most common, slow-growing form
Sézary Syndrome — a more aggressive form with blood involvement
Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Other rare variants
Common Symptoms of CTCL
Symptoms vary depending on stage and subtype:
Symptoms vary depending on stage and subtype:
Skin Changes
Persistent red, scaly patches
Dry, itchy skin
Plaques (thicker raised lesions)
Skin tumors or nodules
Peeling, cracked skin
Ulcerations (advanced disease)
Persistent red, scaly patches
Dry, itchy skin
Plaques (thicker raised lesions)
Skin tumors or nodules
Peeling, cracked skin
Ulcerations (advanced disease)
Other Symptoms
Enlarged lymph nodes
Hair loss in affected areas
Thickening of skin on palms/soles
Swelling (due to lymphatic involvement)
Symptoms often resemble eczema or psoriasis, making expert evaluation essential.
Enlarged lymph nodes
Hair loss in affected areas
Thickening of skin on palms/soles
Swelling (due to lymphatic involvement)
Symptoms often resemble eczema or psoriasis, making expert evaluation essential.
Risk Factors
Age above 50 years
Male gender
Chronic immune suppression
Certain viral infections
Genetic susceptibility
Most patients develop CTCL without any identifiable risk factors.
Age above 50 years
Male gender
Chronic immune suppression
Certain viral infections
Genetic susceptibility
Most patients develop CTCL without any identifiable risk factors.
How CTCL Is Diagnosed at I D Cancer Center
We follow international guidelines for accurate diagnosis and staging.
We follow international guidelines for accurate diagnosis and staging.
1. Detailed Skin Examination
Dermatologic evaluation + mapping of involved areas.
Dermatologic evaluation + mapping of involved areas.
2. Skin Biopsy
Multiple biopsies may be needed for confirmation:
Histopathology
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement test
Multiple biopsies may be needed for confirmation:
Histopathology
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement test
3. Blood Tests
Sézary cell count (if suspected)
CBC
LDH
Flow cytometry
Sézary cell count (if suspected)
CBC
LDH
Flow cytometry
4. Imaging Studies
PET-CT
- CT scanTo evaluate lymph nodes or organ involvement.
PET-CT
5. Lymph Node Biopsy
If nodes are enlarged.
If nodes are enlarged.
Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center
Treatment depends on disease stage, type, skin involvement, and patient comfort.
Treatment depends on disease stage, type, skin involvement, and patient comfort.
1. Skin-Directed Therapies
Ideal for early-stage CTCL:
Topical corticosteroids
Topical chemotherapy (mechlorethamine)
Topical retinoids
Phototherapy (NB-UVB / PUVA)
Localized radiation therapy
Radiation Therapy is highly effective for skin lesions because CTCL is extremely radiosensitive.
Ideal for early-stage CTCL:
Topical corticosteroids
Topical chemotherapy (mechlorethamine)
Topical retinoids
Phototherapy (NB-UVB / PUVA)
Localized radiation therapy
Radiation Therapy is highly effective for skin lesions because CTCL is extremely radiosensitive.
2. Radiotherapy at I D Cancer Center
We provide advanced, precise radiation options:
Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSEI) for widespread involvement
Local Electron Beam Therapy for isolated lesions
IMRT/VMAT for complex or deep-seated lesions
IGRT for daily precision
These methods provide excellent control with minimal skin toxicity.
We provide advanced, precise radiation options:
Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSEI) for widespread involvement
Local Electron Beam Therapy for isolated lesions
IMRT/VMAT for complex or deep-seated lesions
IGRT for daily precision
These methods provide excellent control with minimal skin toxicity.
3. Systemic Treatments
Used when disease spreads beyond the skin:
Oral retinoids (bexarotene)
Immunotherapy (interferon-alpha)
Targeted therapy (HDAC inhibitors such as vorinostat, romidepsin)
Monoclonal antibodies (brentuximab vedotin, mogamulizumab)
Chemotherapy (only in advanced stages)
Used when disease spreads beyond the skin:
Oral retinoids (bexarotene)
Immunotherapy (interferon-alpha)
Targeted therapy (HDAC inhibitors such as vorinostat, romidepsin)
Monoclonal antibodies (brentuximab vedotin, mogamulizumab)
Chemotherapy (only in advanced stages)
4. Advanced / Refractory Disease Options
Stem cell transplant (selected patients)
Clinical trial-based targeted therapies
Combination systemic therapy
Stem cell transplant (selected patients)
Clinical trial-based targeted therapies
Combination systemic therapy
Supportive Care
Skin hydration and barrier therapy
Anti-itch medicines
Infection management
Psychological and emotional support
Counseling for chronic disease management
Skin hydration and barrier therapy
Anti-itch medicines
Infection management
Psychological and emotional support
Counseling for chronic disease management
Prognosis
Stage at diagnosis
Skin vs blood involvement
Response to skin-directed therapies
Overall health
Early-stage CTCL often responds very well and may remain stable for years.
