Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLymphoma RashOther SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lymphoma Rash
Other Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Alymphomathat affects the skin can cause a rash to develop. Lymphoma rashes and skin changes can appear differently on the body and may not all look the same. They can be flat, raised, or in lumps. Affected skin may be itchy, and the lesions may open up and leak fluid.
Lymphoma of the skin can be treated in multiple ways, such as topically with medications, through radiation or UV light therapy, or with infusions of chemotherapy or biologic therapy.
Each type of lymphoma may exhibit unique symptoms and require specific treatments. This article will review how lymphoma can affect the skin.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
A lymphoma affecting the skin can cause a rash to develop. The rash and skin changes can vary in different areas of the body, and may not look the same, even on the same person.
The skin rash, or lesions, can be described in multiple ways, such as:
These skin lesions are often red or purple in color, can be scaly, and can often be itchy. They can occur in a variety of sizes, and some may even break open and leak fluid.
Although many of the symptoms of a lymphoma involving the skin are related to the skin, other symptoms may also be present. These symptoms may include:
Diagnosing Lymphoma
Types include:
Determining the exact type of skin lymphoma can be difficult at times. The pathologist evaluating the specimen may need to run specialized tests to determine the type of cancer. These tests can look for abnormal chromosomes (the structures that carry genetic material) or the presence of certain proteins that may suggest the type of cancer.
Most often the type of skin lymphoma that is found is in the group of T-cell lymphomas. Examples of T-cell lymphomas include:
Although not as common, skin lymphomas can be B-cell lymphomas as well, and examples include:
Hodgkin Lymphoma and Rash: What’s the Link?
In addition to knowing the cause of the rash, especially if it is found to be cancerous, imaging studies need to be done to determine the exact locations of lymphoma in the body, to determine if it has spread outside of the skin. Imaging studies can include:
Lymphoma of the skin can be treated in multiple ways, some of which target just the skin lesions specifically while others treat the entire body.
Skin Treatment Options
Surgery: Surgical removal of the skin lymphoma may be possible, especially if there aren’t many areas of rash and if it’s possible for them to be completely removed.
Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy:Thistreatmentuses ultraviolet light beams similar to a tanning bed. In some instances, the UV light is able to treat lymphoma.
Topical medication:Some types of steroids, chemotherapy, and immune therapy are available in topical treatments that are applied directly to the skin lesions or rash. These medications may be used in some types of skin lymphoma, especially if it is caught early.
Systemic Treatment
Targeted biologic therapy: These medications can be given to target specific proteins on the lymphoma cells, to help the immune system fight them off and destroy the cancer.
Photopheresis: Blood is removed and passed through a machine that separates out the lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are treated with psoralen (which sensitizes them to UV light) and UV light. They are mixed with the rest of the blood and infused back into the body. This kills some lymphoma cells and sensitizes the immune system to fight lymphoma cells.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s not uncommon for someone to develop a rash on their skin at some point in their lives. Rashes can occur for many, noncancerous reasons. If the rash doesn’t go away after self-treatment, or if any of the additional symptoms listed above develop, see your healthcare provider.
They may refer you to a dermatologist who can perform a biopsy of the rash and determine what is going on.
Summary
A lymphoma rash can appear in a variety of ways on the skin. It can be flat, raised, or in lumps. The skin that is affected is often very itchy, and some of the lesions may even open up and leak fluid.
Lymphoma of the skin is often a T-cell lymphoma. It can be treated topically with medications, through radiation or UV light therapy, or through infusions of chemotherapy or biologic therapy.
A Word From Verywell
If you’re concerned that a rash that’s been on your body is getting worse or may not be a simple rash, see your healthcare provider, specifically a dermatologist. They can do a thorough skin examination, and get a biopsy of any of the rash areas.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe first signs of skin lymphoma can include a rash that may be present on different parts of the body. These areas may even look different from each other but can be red or purple in color. They are often itchy as well. Other symptoms can be fever, unintentional weight loss, night sweats.Lymphoma can be curable. The cure rates can differ for different types of lymphoma and for the stage that it is in. These details can be reviewed with the oncologist treating you.Multiple types of lymphoma can cause a rash. They often start in the T cells and can have names such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, or Sezary syndrome. Other types of skin lymphoma can start in the B cells, though this is not as common.
The first signs of skin lymphoma can include a rash that may be present on different parts of the body. These areas may even look different from each other but can be red or purple in color. They are often itchy as well. Other symptoms can be fever, unintentional weight loss, night sweats.
Lymphoma can be curable. The cure rates can differ for different types of lymphoma and for the stage that it is in. These details can be reviewed with the oncologist treating you.
Multiple types of lymphoma can cause a rash. They often start in the T cells and can have names such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, or Sezary syndrome. Other types of skin lymphoma can start in the B cells, though this is not as common.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Lymphoma-non-Hodgkin subtypes.American Cancer Society.Tests for lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Skin-directed treatments for skin lymphomas.American Cancer Society.Whole-body treatments for skin lymphoma.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Lymphoma-non-Hodgkin subtypes.American Cancer Society.Tests for lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Skin-directed treatments for skin lymphomas.American Cancer Society.Whole-body treatments for skin lymphoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Lymphoma-non-Hodgkin subtypes.American Cancer Society.Tests for lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.Skin-directed treatments for skin lymphomas.American Cancer Society.Whole-body treatments for skin lymphoma.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Lymphoma-non-Hodgkin subtypes.
American Cancer Society.Tests for lymphoma of the skin.
American Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.
American Cancer Society.Skin-directed treatments for skin lymphomas.
American Cancer Society.Whole-body treatments for skin lymphoma.
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