Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: Mycosis fungoides and sézary syndrome

Although cutaneous lymphomas arising in skin are rare, they can be the cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The most common of the cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are mycosis fungoides (MF) and its leukemic variant, Sézary syndrome (SS), followed by the CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. CTCLs are separated by T-cell markers and by clinical presentations and response to therapy. Early MF is treated with skin-directed therapies whereas refractory lesions need combination of skin therapy and biological response modifiers. Advanced MF responds to monotherapy with targeted therapies or chemotherapies, whereas Sezary patients often do well on photopheresis with skin therapy and biological response modifiers. In spite of new approved therapies for T-cell lymphomas of the skin, they remain challenging and uncurable at the current time.