Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

What is peripheral T-cell lymphoma?

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a rare, fast-growing cancer that develops from white blood cells called T-cells. T-cells are a part of the immune system and help the body fight infection. In some cases, T-cells grow too quickly and out of control, causing cancer.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive, type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

T-cell lymphomas account for 10-15% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

What causes peripheral T-cell lymphoma? Who is affected?

The cause of peripheral T-cell lymphoma is unknown but may be associated with the exposure to Epstein-Barr virus or to the human T-Cell leukemia virus.

Most T-cell lymphomas develop from mature T-cells and usually affect adults, it typically develops in people over age 60.

T-cell lymphomas derived from immature T-cells tend to affect children and young adults.

It is more common in men than women.

What are the symptoms of peripheral T-cell lymphoma?

The common signs of peripheral T-cell lymphoma include fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, rash, and swelling of the neck, armpit, or groin due to enlarged lymph nodes.

How is peripheral T-cell lymphoma treated?

Treatment plans vary by patient, but will typically include chemotherapy, localized radiotherapy, stem cell transplants, and steroid therapy.

Stem cell transplants replace unhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy ones. Stem cell transplants allow doctors to give larger doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Steroid treatment is commonly used in lymphoma patients. This therapy is used to prevent allergic reactions to blood transfusions or control the side effects of chemotherapy.