Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: VLHT-1
HTLV-1
A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma. HTLV-1 is spread by sharing syringes or needles, through blood transfusions or sexual contact, and from mother to child during birth or breast-feeding. Also called human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.