Pathogenesis of cutaneous lymphomas

Cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disord ers derived from T cells, B cells and, in rare cases, natural killer cells. The precise mechanisms of the lymphomagenesis are still obscure. However, there are various factors involved. These factors include environmental, es pecially infectious factors, translocations, mutations and genetic instabil ity. The special microenvironment in the skin is responsible for the peculi ar behavior of these neoplasms by providing various key factors, such as ad hesion molecules and cytokines, Newly identified molecular disturbances in cutaneous lymphomas might be targeted by specific molecular or Immunologic interventions in the future. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.