Cutaneous Malt Lymphoma

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Cutaneous malt lymphoma is an uncommon form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma specific to this organ. It is usually treated with radiation or surgery.

Identification

• Lymphoma is a specific type of blood cancer originating in the lymph nodes. Lymphatic cancers are classified as either Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's. According to the American Cancer Society, the two vary greatly in their response to treatment.

Types

• Lymphomas are categorized as either b-cell or t-cell cancers, depending on which type of lymphocyte is involved. Cutaneous malt (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma is a rare type of b-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originating in the skin that usually is indolent (slow-growing).

Symptoms

• Cutaneous malt lymphoma affects men and women equally and is not specific to any age group. Patients usually have a bright red rash, a lump with a mushroom-type appearance, or a nodule in the second layer of skin.

Treatments

• Once a diagnosis has been made from a biopsy, the patient will be referred to an oncologist for treatment. This type of lymphoma is generally treated by surgery or radiation therapy.

Prognosis

• The prognosis for patients suffering from cutaneous malt lymphoma is generally optimistic because, according to the American Cancer Society, this type of the disease rarely progresses to a systemic cancer. However, the type of tumor and how deeply the skin is involved also will affect the prognosis.