What are cutaneous B-cell lymphomas?
Lymphomas are tumours of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system. Extranodal lymphomas are tumours that occur in organs or tissues outside of the lymphatic system. When lymphomas occur in the skin with no evidence of extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis, they are called ‘primary’ cutaneous lymphomas. There are many different types of primary cutaneous lymphomas but they can be broadly divided into two categories, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and B-cell lymphomas. Primary cutaneous lymphomas of B cell type comprise approximately 20% of cutaneous lymphomas. Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas occur when there is a malignant proliferation of lymphocytes of the B-cell type. Mutation occurring at different points in B cell development leads to differing forms of lymphoma.
