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What Are the Symptoms of T-Cell Lymphoma?

Lymphomas are cancers of the white blood cells of the immune system and are subdivided into two board categories: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In turn, NHL includes T-cell lymphomas and B-cell lymphomas. T-cell lymphomas are rare, representing approximately 15 percent of all NHLs and including over 30 distinct diseases. Although a rash similar to eczema or psoriasis is present in many T-cell lymphomas, the symptoms of T-cell lymphomas vary depending on the specific type of disease.

  1. Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma

    • Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma has systemic effects, involving lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skin and bone marrow. This disease makes up approximately 15 to 20 percent of all T-cell lymphomas, is fast growing and is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages. Symptoms include fever, itchy skin rash, night sweats, edema, ascites, pleural effusions, rheumatoid arthritis with positive rheumatoid factor test, hypergammaglobulinemia, hemolytic anemia with cold agglutins and presence of various auto-antibodies in the blood.

    Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

    • Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are a spectrum of lymphomas affecting the skin, and symptoms vary depending on the variant. For example, in mycosis fungoides, symptoms include mushroom-like, thickened and reddish skin tumors and symptoms largely confined to the skin; in advanced stages, internal organs may be affected. A more aggressive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, called Sezary syndrome, is characterized by extensive skin rash, exfoliation, intense itching, peripheral lymphadenopathy, sloughing of the skin and malignant lymphocytes in the blood.

    Adult T-Cell Lymphoma

    • Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a rare but aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma linked to infection with the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV-1). HTLV-1 is a retrovirus in the same class as HIV and transmitted by sexual contact, blood products and breast milk. Generally, symptoms develop rapidly and include fatigue, rash, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and groin, hypercalcemia, irregular heart rhythms and constipation. In some forms, symptoms include only enlarged lymph nodes or only skin involvement.

    Enteropathy-Type T-Cell Lymphoma

    • Enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma begins in the T-cells lining the small intestine and is a consequence of prolonged untreated celiac disease. Symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss, vomiting, bowel obstruction, anemia, high serum alkaline phosphatase and low serum albumin. Abdominal masses can occur but are not common.

    Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma

    • Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma involves the liver, spleen and bone marrow. The disease is relatively rare and affects young adults and adolescents, with a male prevalence. Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma predominantly affects organ transplant recipients and is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. Lymph nodes are usually untouched.

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