Primary B Cell Cutaneous Lymphoma

This entry looks at primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma, one of the subtypes of lymphoma. 'Lymphoma' is an umbrella term that loosely refers to several dozen independent categorical types and subtypes of cancers of the lymphatic system.

B Cell Cutaneous Lymphoma

A cutaneous lymphoma refers to several subtypes of lymphoma that affect the skin. These subtypes include:

• Peripheral T cell lymphoma
• Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
• Mycosis fungoides
• Sezary syndrome
• Adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma
• Lymphomatoid granulomatosis

And of course there are a few more, including primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma, in which B cell lymphocytes in the skin become cancerous.

B Cell Cutaneous Lymphoma

Primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the origin of which is in the skin (thus the term 'primary'). If the disease spread to the skin from a different primary site, it would be considered secondary B cell cutaneous lymphoma and therefore a systemic disease. This however is extremely rare; it is exceedingly more common for primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma.

There are a handful of subtypes of primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma. They are:

• Primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma (indolent)
• Primary cutaneous marginal zone B cell lymphoma (indolent)
• Large B-cell lymphoma of the leg (intermediately aggressive)

B Cell Cutaneous Lymphoma Treatment

Initial treatment for lower-stage primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma will involve at least one or more of the following therapuetic options:

• Locoregional radiotherapy
• Excision (surgical removal)
• Observation (only for certain cases)
• Topical applications

B Cell Cutaneous Lymphoma Prognosis

In general, primary B cell cutaneous lymphoma has an excellent prognosis, with a high cure rate (around 90%) when the appropriate treatment option is used. Although prognosis is very good, recurrence is not uncommon.

Sources

• Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation
• International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas
• Holland, Kerry, ed. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. Volume 17, Nr 6, December 2003. WB Saunders Company.