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Types of Cancer > Skin Cancers > Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma/Mycosis Fungoides > NCI Resources
NCI/PDQ® Patients: Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome
Affiliation:
National Cancer Institute
Last Modified: June 6, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome?
Mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome is a disease in which certain cells of the lymph system (called T-lymphocytes) become cancer (malignant) and affect the skin. Lymphocytes are infection-fighting white blood cells that are made in the bone marrow and by other organs of the lymph system. T-cells are special lymphocytes that help the body's immune system kill bacteria and other harmful things in the body.
The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into all parts of the body, including the skin. Lymph vessels carry lymph, a colorless, watery fluid that contains lymphocytes. Along the network of vessels are groups of small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck, and abdomen. The spleen (an organ in the upper abdomen that makes lymphocytes and filters old blood cells from the blood), the thymus (a small organ beneath the breastbone), and the tonsils (an organ in the throat) are also part of the lymph system.
There are several types of lymphoma. The most common types of lymphomas are called Hodgkin's lymphomas and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. These types of lymphoma usually start in the lymph nodes and the spleen. (Refer to the PDQ® summaries on Adult Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment; Childhood Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment; Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment; and Childhood Hodgkin's Disease Treatment for more information.)
Mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome usually develops slowly over many years. In the early stages, the skin may itch, and dry, dark patches may develop on the skin. As the disease gets worse, tumors may form on the skin, a condition called mycosis fungoides. As more and more of the skin becomes involved, the skin may become infected. The disease can spread to lymph nodes or to other organs in the body, such as the spleen, lungs, or liver. When large numbers of the tumor cells are found in the blood, the condition is called the Sézary syndrome.
If there are symptoms of cutaneous lymphoma, a doctor may remove a growth from the skin and look at it under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the skin or has spread to other places in the body) and the patient's general state of health.
There are several other types of cancer that start in the skin. The most common are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer (refer to the PDQ® summary on Skin Cancer Treatment for more information). Another type of skin cancer called melanoma (refer to the PDQ® summary on Melanoma Treatment for more information). Kaposi's sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that occurs most commonly in patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), also affects the skin (refer to the PDQ® summary on Kaposi's Sarcoma Treatment for more information). Cancers that start in other parts of the body may also spread (metastasize) to the skin.
Stages of mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome
Once mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome is found, more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging. A doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan treatment. The following stages are used for mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome: