[Current therapy concepts in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas].

Cutaneous T-cell-lymphomas (CTCL) include a group of rare diseases that are characterized by an accumulation of clonal T-lymphocytes in skin. The various disease entities may be classified by an adapted Kiel classification. For staging purposes the TNM system is most commonly used. Treatment modalities depend on the extent and the aggressiveness of the disease (low- or high-grade lymphoma) and on the individual situation of the patient. Stage-adapted therapy is currently recommended. Early stages of low-grade CTCL are successfully treated with PUVA, retinoids or interferon-alpha. Extracorporeal photopheresis is the treatment of choice in stage III patients with Sézary syndrome. Alternative therapeutic modalities for CTCL, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or various experimental protocols, are discussed.