From the Guidelines
Lymphomas are associated with various skin problems, including cutaneous lymphoma, particularly mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, which are the most common skin issues, presenting as red, scaly patches, plaques, or tumors on the skin, as reported in the most recent study by 1.
Skin Problems Associated with Lymphomas
The skin problems associated with lymphomas can be categorized into:
- Cutaneous lymphoma, which includes mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome
- Non-specific skin symptoms, such as pruritus, erythroderma, hyperpigmentation, and jaundice due to liver involvement
- Paraneoplastic skin conditions, including Sweet's syndrome, erythema nodosum, and vasculitis
- Treatment-related skin problems, such as rashes, photosensitivity, and hand-foot syndrome caused by chemotherapy, and radiation dermatitis caused by radiation therapy
Management of Skin Problems
Management of these skin problems typically involves:
- Treating the underlying lymphoma with appropriate chemotherapy regimens, such as CHOP for non-Hodgkin lymphoma or ABVD for Hodgkin lymphoma
- Symptomatic relief using topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and moisturizers for itching and dryness
- Specific treatments for severe cutaneous lymphomas, such as PUVA therapy, topical nitrogen mustard, or systemic retinoids
Importance of Early Recognition
Early recognition of these skin manifestations is crucial, as they may indicate disease progression or treatment complications, and prompt management can improve patient outcomes, as emphasized in the study by 1.
Key Considerations
Key considerations in the management of skin problems associated with lymphomas include:
- Accurate diagnosis and classification of the lymphoma
- Multidisciplinary approach to management, involving dermatologists, pathologists, hematologists, and radiation oncologists
- Individualized treatment plans, taking into account the specific type and stage of the lymphoma, as well as the patient's overall health and preferences.
From the FDA Drug Label
Bexarotene capsules are a prescription medicine used to treat the skin problems that happen with a type of cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after treatment with at least one other type of medicine by mouth or injection, did not work or has stopped working.
The skin problems associated with lymphomas (lymphatic system cancers) that are treated with bexarotene capsules are those that occur with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
From the Research
Skin Problems Associated with Lymphomas
The skin problems associated with lymphomas, specifically cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, include:
- Mycosis fungoides, a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by clonal proliferation of skin-homing malignant T lymphocytes 2
- Sézary syndrome, a leukaemic variant of mycosis fungoides 2, 3
- Cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma 4
- Peripheral T-cell lymphoma 4
- Erythroderma, a condition characterized by widespread redness and scaling of the skin, which can be a symptom of mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome 5
Characteristics and Treatment of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that can involve the skin, with various subtypes and treatment approaches 6, 4, 3
- Treatment options include skin-directed therapies, systemic therapies, and biologic-response modifiers, with the goal of achieving good disease control and preserving quality of life 6, 3
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation may be considered in highly-selected patients, as it may be curative in some cases 6, 3
Diagnosis and Management of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas
Diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas requires integration of clinical and histopathologic data, with TNMB staging remaining the most important prognostic factor 3
- Expectant management or skin-directed therapies may be preferred for patients with disease limited to the skin, while patients with advanced-stage disease may require more aggressive therapies 3
- Quality of life and patient support are important considerations in the management of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, given the limited therapeutic possibilities 5