Dealing with diagnostic difficulties in CTCL

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma has proven to be difficult to diagnose. According to Jacqueline M. Junkins-Hopkins, M.D., CTCL features overlap with more inflammatory dermatoses.

Also, the histopathology of the early disease is not always able to be diagnosed, so the condition may escape diagnosis entirely.CTCL presents itself as two main types: classic mycosis fungoides and non-mycosis fungoides. Plus there are a multitude of MF variants.

Dr. Junkins-Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, adds that clinicians should be aware of CTCL variants, assess levels through the biopsy to assess follicles, and know that unilesional CTCL may have a different prognosis than classic patch/plaque MF.