Most cases of cutaneous lymphoma have no known cause. These cancers start in lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the skin.
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Talk to your primary care provider if you have symptoms that you think may be cutaneous lymphoma. UW Medicine Primary Care can help you get started. Fred Hutch's relationship with UW Medicine.
Risk Factors for Cutaneous Lymphoma
Since all cutaneous lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), the risk factors are much the same as the risk factors for NHL. These include:
- Age: Cutaneous lymphomas are more common in middle‑aged and older adults.
- Gender: Some types, such as mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, occur slightly more often in men than in women.
- Immune deficiency and infections: Having a weakened immune system or certain infections can increase the risk of NHL, including cutaneous forms.
Even with these known risk factors, most people who develop cutaneous lymphoma do not have a single clear cause that can be identified.
Preventing Cutaneous Lymphoma
Because most cases of cutaneous lymphoma have no known cause, it is difficult to prevent. However, keeping your immune system healthy by avoiding risk factors for HIV/AIDS may help lower your risk.
Since cutaneous lymphoma is a skin disease, it is often noticed fairly quickly. Unfortunately, it can frequently resemble other, more common skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, which can lead to delays in diagnosis, especially in early disease.
If you have a long‑lasting or changing rash that does not improve with usual treatments, it is important to talk with your primary care provider or a specialist and ask whether further evaluation is needed.