human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1)

Description

A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell that helps control immune response, fight infection and destroy abnormal cells) and can cause some types of leukemia and lymphoma.

Infection with HTLV-1 increases the risk of developing a rare type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/L). ATL/L can occur as a type of adult T-cell leukemia or as a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Also called human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1.