Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy given in this way is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. In cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chemotherapy drugs may be given in a cream or lotion put on the skin. This is called topical chemotherapy.
Phototherapy uses light to kill cancer cells.
A drug that makes cancer cells sensitive to light is given to the patient and then a special light is used to shine on the cancer cells to kill them. In one type of phototherapy, called PUVA therapy, a patient will receive a drug called psoralen, and then ultraviolet A light will be shone on the skin. In another type of phototherapy, called extracorporeal photochemotherapy, the patient will be given drugs, and then some of the blood cells will be taken from the body, put under a special light, and put back into the body. If phototherapy is given, directions from the doctor should be followed as to the amount of sunlight the patient should receive. Biological therapy tries to get the body to fight cancer.