What is T-cell lymphoma?
T-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops when infection-fighting T cells in your immune system become abnormal. These abnormal T cells multiply excessively, crowding out healthy blood cells and accumulating in organs like your skin. This makes it harder for your body to fight Show Full Answer
What is T-cell lymphoma?
T-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops when infection-fighting T cells in your immune system become abnormal. These abnormal T cells multiply excessively, crowding out healthy blood cells and accumulating in organs like your skin. This makes it harder for your body to fight infections effectively.
T-cell lymphomas make up about 6-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, affecting approximately 17,000 people in the United States annually. The average age at diagnosis is 65 years old. T-cell lymphomas can be either:
• Aggressive (fast-growing) - requiring immediate treatment
• Indolent (slow-growing) - may progress more slowly
They can affect different parts of your body including:
• Lymph nodes
• Skin (cutaneous T-cell lymphomas)
• Other body parts (peripheral T-cell lymphomas)
Treatment options often include high-dose chemotherapy and in some cases may involve stem cell transplants. Clinical trials may also be available as treatment options.
July 20, 2025