Abstract
Because the classification of ATLL is mainly based on hematological and serological features, the existence of skin lesions has not been considered as one of the important prognostic factors. However, several studies have revealed that the prognosis of the smoldering type ATLL with skin lesions is significantly worse than that without skin lesions. Thus, the smoldering type ATLL with skin lesions should be divided into a different category, such as “cutaneous ATLL”. Patients with cutaneous ATLL show neither leukemic involvement (low percentages of abnormal lymphocytes in the peripheral blood) nor invasion of tumor cells into the lymph nodes. A detailed diagnostic criterion for cutaneous ATLL is a matter being discussed. The skin-direct therapy including topical steroids, PUVA and electron beamirradiation, and the systemic therapy including interferon-g and retinoids are reviewed. Although these therapies improve the patients' symptoms, there is no apparent evidence that they improve the prognosis for the disease. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2008; 23: 302-307]
