How effective is radiotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma?

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma affects the skin and may appear as patches, plaques or thicker tumours. Radiotherapy directs energy at a defined lesion or group of lesions and can be considered when an area is troublesome, thickened, painful, bleeding or not responding to another skin treatment. A focused plan may provide local control, but treating one lesion does not necessarily remove lymphoma cells in untreated skin or other parts of the body.

The dermatologist, haematologist and radiation team consider the number, size and position of lesions, previous treatment, skin sensitivity and the wider pattern of lymphoma. Treatment may be combined with skin-directed or whole-body medicines when the disease is more widespread.

Follow the centre’s instructions for washing, moisturising and covering the area. Avoid friction, heat and unapproved creams on treatment days, and protect the site from sunlight. Redness, dryness, peeling, tenderness and hair loss in the treated patch can appear during or after treatment; tell the team before the skin becomes difficult to manage.

Keep track of new patches, changing lesions, fever, drainage or pain. Attend skin reviews because the team may need to assess both the treated area and other skin sites.

Contact the treatment team for rapidly increasing pain, open or infected-looking skin, pus, fever, spreading redness or bleeding that does not settle with gentle pressure. Seek urgent help for severe allergic symptoms, fainting or sudden widespread illness.

Ask whether radiation is aimed at one lesion or several, what local result is expected, how untreated skin will be managed, which creams are safe, and how the team will monitor lymphoma beyond the treated area.