Description

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. This cancer that attacks the skin. Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma affects a type of germ-fighting white blood cells called b cells. These cells are also called b lymphocytes.

The types of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma include:

  • Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma.
  • Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.
  • Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type.
  • Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma symptoms include a lump or a group of bumps on the skin. Sometimes this type of cancer causes patches of skin.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Another type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin, called cutaneous lymphoma of t-cells. cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma is more common than cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

Symptoms

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma usually appears as a bump or group of bumps in the skin that does not go away. Symptoms may include:

  • A single payment or a group of bumps on the skin.
  • A lump or lumps in the skin that may be pink, purple or red-brown.
  • Redness around the bumps on the skin.
  • Bumps on the skin that grow slowly.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas most often develop on the scalp, the forehead or the back. Some types of this cancer prefer to grow in other places. Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas tend to grow on the arms or trunk. Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type usually grows on one leg.

Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the causes of the symptoms that are different from the other types. Symptoms may include:

  • Hard patches of skin.
  • The skin around the patches that looks red or purple in color.
  • The areas of the skin that look like spider veins.
  • Spots on the trunk or thighs.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if they continue to symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cause of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is often not known. This type of cancer causes a growth of the cells in the skin. It begins in the germ of the struggle of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma affects specific lymphocytes called b lymphocytes.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma occurs when B-lymphocytes develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes tell cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

In cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, the cancer cells accumulate in the skin. Cancer cells rarely spread to other areas of the body.

Risk factors

Risk factors for cutaneous B-cell lymphoma include:

  • Weakened immune system. If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by the medicine or the disease, there may be an increased risk of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. People with weakened immune systems may include those who take medications to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Certain health conditions can also weaken the immune system, including HIV infection.
  • Bacteria transmitted by ticks. Some ticks can transmit the bacteria called Borrelia. The Borrelia bacteria is linked to Lyme disease. There is some research that also links the bacterium Borrelia to cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

There is no way to prevent skin-to-skin B-cell lymphoma.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose cutaneous B-cell lymphoma include:

  • Physical exam. Your healthcare provider will carefully check your skin. Your health care professional, looking for other signs that may give clues about your diagnosis.
  • Skin biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. Your health care professional may remove a small piece of the affected skin. The sample is analyzed in a laboratory to detect lymphoma cells.
  • Blood tests. A sample of your blood can be analyzed to look for lymphoma cells.
  • Bone marrow biopsy. A bone marrow sample can be examined in search of the lymphoma cells.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests can help your healthcare professional to assess your condition. Examples of imaging tests include ct scan, ct scan, also called a CT, and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET.

Treatment

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma treatment depends on the specific type of lymphoma you have.

Treatment options may include:

  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. Radiation therapy can be used alone for the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma. Is sometimes used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may be left.
  • The surgery to remove the cancer. Your health care professional may recommend a procedure to remove the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. This could be an option if you have one or a few areas of cutaneous lymphoma. Surgery may be the only treatment needed. Sometimes, other treatments are needed after surgery.
  • The injection of a drug on cancer. Sometimes a medicine can be injected into the cancer. An example is the steroids. This treatment is sometimes used for the cutaneous lymphoma that grows very slowly.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. Chemotherapy drugs can be applied to the skin for the control of cutaneous lymphoma. Chemotherapy may also be given through a vein. This could be used if the cancer is growing quickly, or is advanced.
  • The targeted therapy. The targeted therapy drugs attack specific chemicals present in the cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, the targeted therapy treatments that cause cancer cells to die. The targeted therapy drugs can be injected into the cancer to the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma. Or the drugs can be administered through a vein.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare provider feels that you can have skin-to-skin B-cell lymphoma, which the person can refer you to a specialist. Often this is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the skin, it is called a dermatologist.

Appointments can be brief, and being prepared can help. Here is some information that can help you prepare.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your doctor.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • Do I have cancer?
  • If the lumps are not cancerous, even I remove them?
  • I need more tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the potential risks of these treatment options?
  • Do any of the treatments to cure my cancer?
  • I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • How much time can I take to consider my options for treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What would happen if I decide not to have treatment?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you several questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma