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Monday, August 27, 2012

Prevalence and Severity of Pruritus and Quality of Life in Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.


Prevalence and Severity of Pruritus and Quality of Life in Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.


Aug 2012

Source

St. Thomas' Hospital, Kings Healthcare Partners, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), although rare, is associated with a significant symptom burden. Pruritus appears to be one of the most prominent and disturbing symptoms.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the prevalence and severity of pruritus and quality of life (QOL) in patients with CTCL.

METHODS:

Patients with CTCL able to complete two questionnaires were invited to complete a visual analogue scale for itch (VAS(itch)) and the Skindex-29. Prevalence of pruritus, mean score, and SD were estimated for the VAS(itch) and Skindex-29, and the Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the relationship between severity of pruritus and QOL.

RESULTS:

One hundred patients were recruited (mean [SD] age 57.9 [12.9] years, range 30-86 years). Eighty-eight percent reported pruritus in the preceding four weeks, 46% indicating that it was often or always a problem. The mean (SD) of VAS(itch) (n=92) was 3.2 (3.2), range zero to 10. The mean (SD) total Skindex-29 score was 43.3 (27.7). More advanced disease stage was associated with poorer QOL. The Skindex-29 correlated strongly with the VAS(itch) (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.72, P<0 .001=".001" b="b">

CONCLUSION:

All aspects of QOL are affected in CTCL. Pruritus is a common and troublesome symptom. A more advanced disease stage and more severe pruritus symptoms were associated with poorer QOL in this study.

Radiotherapy in the Management of Localized Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma.


Radiotherapy in the Management of Localized Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma.


August 2012

Corresponding author: Itai Pashtan, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology
Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, ASB1-L2, Boston, MA 02115
USA. Tel: +1-617-732-6231; Fax: +1-617-975-0932; E-mail: 

Keywords
Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomaprognosisradiationdoselocal control

Abstract
The optimal therapy and radiation dose for patients with localized primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) are unknown. We retrospectively identified 23 patients with localized (T1-T2) PCBCL treated with definitive radiation to doses ranging from 30–44 Gy (median, 36 Gy). With median follow-up of 4.8 years, the 5-year overall survival rate was 100%, the relapse-free survival rate was 71% (95% CI, 46-86%) and there were no local recurrences, suggesting that radiotherapy to a dose of 30 Gy may be sufficient for cure.

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