Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma

Overview

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the skin. It commonly causes symptom like a lump or lumps in the skin. This type of cancer grows slowly and rarely spread to other part of the body.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma usually starts in the B-lymphocytes which are white blood cells helping the immune system to fight infection.

The different types of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma:

• Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma: appears on the head, neck, or trunk that looks like a reddish-brown, rash or lump. This type is a slow growing type of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
• Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: looks like a lesion that is either pink or red, or tumor develops at the arms or trunk.
• Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type: this subtype frequently manifests as a tumor or many nodules on the trunk, legs, or arms.
• Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, other: this subtype is rare. It begins with the head, trunk, hands, and feet. This form of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is aggressive.

Symptoms

A lump or lumps in the skin are the primary symptom of B-cell skin lymphoma. The small, solid areas of the skin that look like a pimple is called papules. They grow into a plaque, which are thicker and flat, while larger lumps are sometimes deep red or purplish are called nodules or tumors. The head, neck, back, or legs are the areas where papules or nodules are most frequently found.

At some rare cases, people will experience other symptoms such as:

• Lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin that are swollen.
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss

Cause

The cause of Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is still unknown; however, specialists are aware that it usually begins in the lymphocytes of the white blood cells.