Cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas: 2021 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management

Abstract Disease overview Cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas are a heterogenous group of T‐cell neoplasms involving the skin, the majority of which may be classified as Mycosis Fungoides (MF) or Sézary Syndrome (SS). Diagnosis The diagnosis of MF or SS requires the integration of clinical and histopathologic data. Risk‐adapted therapy TNMB (tumor, node, metastasis, blood) staging remains the most important prognostic factor in MF/SS and forms the basis for a “risk‐adapted,” multi‐disciplinary approach to treatment. For patients with disease limited to the skin, expectant management or skin‐directed therapies is preferred, as both disease‐specific and overall survival for these patients is favorable. In contrast, patients with advanced‐stage disease with significant nodal, visceral or blood involvement are generally approached with systemic therapies, including biologic‐response modifiers, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or antibody‐based strategies, in an escalating fashion. In highly‐selected patients, allogeneic stem‐cell transplantation may be considered, as this may be curative in some patients.