Clinical Insights and Emerging Strategies in Managing Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome, the two most common types of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), present many management challenges for dermatologists. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of up-to-date literature, guidelines, and expert clinical insights. We highlight the updates in the World Health Organization Classification of Cutaneous Lymphomas; we summarize the epidemiology, including a recently observed stabilization of increasing incidence of CTCL in the past decade and increased incidence in males, blacks, and veterans; we also provide the most recent updates on prognostic factors for CTCL. Utilization of Next-Generation Sequencing and other novel technologies has shed light on pathogenic mechanisms of CTCL, including immune dysregulation, antigen stimulation, and genomic alterations. CTCL management still remains a significant challenge due to lack of standardization of therapies for every stage of the disease. We provide a straightforward approach to clinical evaluation, diagnostic workup via immunophenotyping and molecular studies, staging guidelines, and select treatment strategies in Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome. CTCL patients require individualized, holistic, and multidisciplinary care, for whom addressing management in different skin types and prioritizing quality of life issues are essential.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(5):405-412.