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Treatment of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Source: Peripheral T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 13, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is caused by infection with the retrovirus human T-lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV1) and is frequently associated with lymphadenopathy, hypercalcemia, circulating leukemic cells, bone and skin involvement, hepatosplenomegaly, a rapidly progressive course, and poor response to combination chemotherapy.[1,2] HTLV1 is endemic to Japan (especially the southern island of Kyushu), central Africa, the Caribbean islands, and some regions of Central and South America, the Middle East, and Australia. This retrovirus is mostly spread by sexual contact or breastfeeding.[3] ATL has been divided into four clinical subtypes:[3]
Acute (aggressive course with leukemia, with or without extranodal or nodal involvement).
Lymphoma (aggressive course with lymphadenopathy and no leukemia).
Chronic (indolent course with leukemia and lymphadenopathy).
Smoldering (indolent course with only leukemia).
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice