[Malignant lymphoma of the skin]

Diagnosis and therapy of malignant lymphoma of the skin were reviewed. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), which is a new name for mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, is one of the peripheral T-cell malignancies. It is generally confined to the skin for a long period of time, distinct from other malignant lymphomas, and may then progress to involve the lymph nodes and internal organs with a fatal outcome. Thus, diagnosis and therapy of CTCL may be different from those of other malignant lymphomas. Diagnostic characteristics of clinical, histopathological, haematological and immunological findings of CTCL were described. Differentiation between CTCL and adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) were discussed. As for the therapy for CTCL, there are five therapeutic modalities; local chemotherapy, PUVA therapy, electron beam irradiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy and combined modality. However, the most appropriate therapy for each stage of CTCL has not yet been determined. The advantages and dis-advantages of each therapeutical modality were discussed.