Peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a lymphoma of the T-cells which are circulating within the lymphatic system after they have left the Thymus. The Thymus is the organ just behind the breast bone where T-cells normally develop and mature. That is how they get the name "T"-cells. B cells on the other hand develop and mature in the bone marrow. There are other types of T-cell lymphoma as well, such as cutaneous t-cell lymphoma which arises in the skin.

Some subtypes of Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma are rare in Western countries but more common in the far east. This is due in part the the prevalence of the HTLV-1 (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus) which is considered a risk factor for developing lymphoma.

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Some studies show that the prognosis for peripheral t-cell lymphoma is less favourable than for similar aggressive b-cell lymphomas, yet other studies shown no difference in prognosis. As an aggressive lymphoma Peripheral T-cell lymphoma usually requires immediate and aggressive treatment.

Additional classification of peripheral T-cell lymphoma information

Treatments

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is treated similarly to other aggressive lymphomas. Usually a doxorubicin based chemotherapy regimen will be used. The anti CD20 monoclonal antibody Rituxan is not used because Rituxan targets the CD20 antigen, which is only found on B-cells and not on T-cells.

Other information

Additional information about Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

NCI aggressive non-hodgkin's lymphoma page

Cancer backup Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma information