[Carcinoma spinocellulare and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas]

Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma are presented, together with a survey of the rather sparse literature on this subject. The cases presented showed considerable differences in their course. The mutagenic effects of the therapies used against the lymphoma are claimed to be responsible for the development of squamous cell carcinoma in almost all the published reports. However, we think the disturbances of the immune system caused either by the lymphoma itself or by the therapy might be a decisive factor in the development of secondary tumors. This possibility is supported by a comparison of immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients, who frequently develop squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. Frequent clinical follow-up examination of patients with cutaneous T cell lymphomas and early biopsy of suggestive lesions seem mandatory for differentiation between squamous cell carcinomas and tumorous infiltrations of the primary lymphoma. Radical surgical excision, which allows histological examination of the tumor margins, is the therapy of choice for these frequently very aggressive squamous cell carcinomas.