Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Virus de la leucemia humana de células T tipo 1
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HYOO-mun TEE-sel loo-KEE-mee-uh VY-rus)
A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 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 HTLV-1 and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.