Cutaneous Lymphoma
Cutaneous lymphoma (also called lymphoma of the skin) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin.
City of Hope has one of the nation's most distinguished skin lymphoma programs. We take pride in being among the few multidisciplinary clinics in the country that can treat the full spectrum of disease, whether you are newly diagnosed, have cancer that has returned, or have failed other therapies.
To control or cure these diseases when possible, we offer traditional and many novel therapies — including skin-directed and infusional therapies, immunotherapies, biologic therapies, clinical trials and stem cell transplants. In addition, our experienced teams manage your care at every level of treatment.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are over 80,000 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed each year, only 4% of which are skin lymphomas.
There are two main types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells). Lymphomas are classified according to their cell type, with skin lymphomas divided into either B or T cell lymphomas. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas make up 75% to 80% of cutaneous lymphomas. Most CTCLs are indolent (slow-growing) and not life-threatening.
Cutaneous lymphomas include a large group of cancers with overlapping features — and since every patient’s disease looks different, getting an accurate diagnosis can be the most challenging part of treatment.
The difference between skin lymphomas is subtle, and it may be difficult to distinguish some from other skin problems. For these reasons, treatment at City of Hope begins with leading-edge diagnostics performed by dermatopathologists well-versed in the entire spectrum of this disease.
Leading-edge clinical trials, collaborations with an extensive network of institutions and our designation as a lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence provide our patients with exciting new treatment options. And City of Hope’s unique ability to produce and manufacture the agents developed by our investigators means treatments get to our patients faster.
Diagnosis, treatment and cure rates for lymphoma are improving every year, and research at City of Hope has helped to fuel those trends. Cutaneous lymphoma research at City of Hope focuses on developing and discovering new treatments to improve prognosis and outcomes for our patients.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after cutaneous lymphoma treatment.
Multidisciplinary Care
City of Hope is one of a dozen national centers that treat cutaneous lymphomas using a comprehensive approach by a multidisciplinary team solely focused on treating this type of cancer.
Your care includes regular interaction and input from dermatologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, dermatopathologists, nurses, social workers, and supportive care staff in the same clinical space.
This team brings together experience and diverse perspectives to arrive at the ideal treatment for you.
Cutaneous Lymphoma Program Highlights:
- Patient-centered approach
- Access to promising new therapies, including CAR T cell therapy, as part of our clinical trials program
- Pathologic diagnostics to characterize skin lymphoma subtypes, using state-of-the-art genetic and molecular testing — including molecular profiling tumor types to reveal specific abnormalities unique to each patient
- One of the largest stem cell and bone marrow transplant programs in the United States, consistently ranked by Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research for high transplant outcomes.
- Innovative approaches to treating advanced cutaneous lymphoma that bridge therapies to successful transplant outcomes
- A psychosocial support program to screen for and maintain patient mental and emotional well-being
- Survivorship clinics that assist and monitor patients throughout the disease and post-transplant.
Internationally recognized for its research and breakthrough treatments, City of Hope has been named one of America’s top cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for over a decade.
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
