Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Overview

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from mature T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, typically outside of the bone marrow, and is characterized by a diverse range of subtypes.

PTCLs are relatively rare, accounting for about 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and are often considered aggressive, meaning they tend to grow and spread quickly.

PTCLs develop from mature T-cells and NK cells that are found in lymphoid tissues outside of the bone marrow, such as lymph nodes, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and skin.

There are numerous subtypes of PTCL, including PTCL-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)

Symptoms

Symptoms can vary depending on the subtype but may include enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, rash, and unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a biopsy of affected tissues and blood tests.

Prognosis

The prognosis for PTCL varies depending on the subtype, stage, and other factors, but in general, PTCL is associated with a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 30% to 40%. 

Treatment

treatment typically involves a combination of chemotherapy and other drugs.