title: Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a spectrum of diseases composed of malignant helper T lymphocytes. An accurate diagnosis of early CTCL is difficult because of the varied clinical and histologic expressions of the disease. METHODS: The authors review the epidemiology, possible risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, staging, prognosis, and treatment options for CTCL. RESULTS: The varied and often nonspecific clinical and histologic presentations of CTCL may delay diagnosis and staging, thus necessitating further studies such as immunophenotyping, flow cytometry, and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of CTCL assists in optimizing outcomes from management of patients with this disease.
authors.affiliation: Cutaneous Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yag-Howard
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Fenske