T-Cell Lymphoma Symptoms in Adults

Adult T cell lymphomas are neoplasms of CD4+ T cells only observed in adults that have been infected by human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1). The tumor cells contain clonal HTLV-1 provirus, which is thought to play a critical pathogenic role and the virus also encodes a protein called Tax that is a potent NF-KB activator, which enhances lymphocyte growth and survival. These cancers occur mainly in regions where HTLV-1 is endemic including southern Japan, West African and the Caribbeans. Common findings include cutaneous lesions, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and occasionally hypercalcemia. Typically, this neoplasm has an aggressive course. Most patients present with rapidly progressive disease that can be fatal within months to a year of diagnosis despite aggressive chemotherapy. However, the tumor may only involve the skin and can follow a much more indolent course.