Types of T-Cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas 

Includes mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, and other types.

These lymphomas start in the skin. Skin lymphomas account for about 5% of all lymphomas. To learn more, see Lymphoma of the Skin.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS)

This name is given to many T-cell lymphomas that don't fit well into any of the other groups listed below. Most T-cell lymphomas are classified as PTCL, NOS.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas tend to grow and spread quickly. Most people are diagnosed in their 60s. These lymphomas can start in the lymph nodes, but they often involve other organs, including the skin and bone marrow.

Treatment often involves chemotherapy and sometimes a stem cell transplant. However, the lymphoma often regrows after treatment. To learn more, see Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL)

About 15% to 18% of all T-cell lymphomas in the United States are AITL. It is more common in older adults. 

In the newest classification systems, AITL is grouped with a few closely related lymphomas called T-follicular helper (TFH) cell lymphomas.

AITL usually involves the lymph nodes and bone marrow. It also tends to involve the spleen or liver, which can become enlarged. People with this lymphoma usually have fever, weight loss, and skin rashes. They also often develop infections.

AITL often progresses quickly. Treatment often works at first, but the lymphoma tends to come back (recur). To learn more, see Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)

This lymphoma makes up about 12%  to 15% of T-cell lymphomas in adults and a larger share in children. It tends to grow quickly, but many people can be cured.

There are 3 main forms:

• Primary cutaneous ALCL only affects the skin. This is discussed in more detail in Lymphoma of the Skin.
• Systemic ALCL can affect the lymph nodes and other organs, including the skin. It is divided into 2 types based on whether the lymphoma cells have a change in the ALK gene. ALK-positive ALCL is more common in younger people. It tends to have a better prognosis (outlook) than ALK-negative ALCL.
• Breast implant-associated ALCL is a rare type of lymphoma that can develop in the breasts of people who’ve had implants. Textured breast implants have been linked to a higher risk than smooth implants.

Learn more in Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL)

ATLL is caused by infection with a virus called HTLV-1.

This lymphoma is rare in the United States. It is seen much more often in Japan, the Caribbean, and parts of South America and Africa, where infection with HTLV-1 is more common. It can affect the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, skin, and other organs.

Some people with ATLL may not have any symptoms. When this happens, it is described as a smoldering or chronic disease. A person may sometimes be observed without treatment.

More often, people have symptoms of fatigue, rash, rapidly growing lymph nodes, or elevated levels of calcium in the blood. When a person with ATLL has symptoms, they need treatment. Treatment may involve chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. To learn more, see Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Intestinal T-cell lymphomas

Several types of T-cell lymphoma may start in the intestines (bowels).

These lymphomas often cause belly pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and bleeding from the intestine. One kind, called enteropathy-associated intestinal T-cell lymphoma, is strongly linked to celiac disease.

Intestinal T-cell lymphomas can be difficult to treat, because people are often very ill when they are diagnosed. Treatments usually include chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. To learn more, see Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

This rare type of lymphoma often involves the upper airway passages, such as the nose and upper throat. But it can also invade the skin, digestive tract, and other organs. It is more common in parts of Asia and South America, and it is often linked to infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

This type of lymphoma is often treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. To learn more, see Treating T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia

This type of lymphoma is also known as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.

It accounts for about 1% of all lymphomas. It is most common in teens or young adults, and it happens more often in males than in females.

Doctors may call this a lymphoma or a leukemia, depending on the amount of cancer cells in the bone marrow. But both are treated the same way.

T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma often starts in the thymus. This is a small organ behind the breastbone and in front of the heart. It is where many T cells are made. The cancer can grow into a large tumor in the area between the lungs (mediastinum). This can cause trouble breathing and swelling in the arms and face.

This lymphoma grows fast, but it can be cured with chemotherapy, especially when it is found early.

Treatment is usually similar to the treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). To learn more, see Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (Adults).