Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: prognosis and quality-of-life issues.

Cutaneous lymphomas (CL) include lymphocytic malignancies derived from B cells, T cells, or other cell types such as natural killer cells. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are the most common CL, especially mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, and the spectrum of large-cell CD30(+) lymphoproliferative disorders. It is important to understand that these diseases have a much better prognosis than their nodal counterparts; therefore, treatment has to be stage adapted and palliative. Due to the anatomical localization, these lymphomas have significant impact on the quality of life of the patient.