Inflammatory and Infectious Cutaneous Entities Resembling Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL): An Integrated Clinicopathological Review

Cutaneous pseudolymphomas are benign reactive lymphoid proliferations that often mimic cutaneous lymphomas both clinically and histologically. A diverse array of inflammatory, infectious, and drug-induced dermatoses can closely resemble cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), particularly mycosis fungoides (MFs), posing significant diagnostic challenges. These mimickers may show histopathological features such as epidermotropism, dense lymphocytic infiltrates, or even clonality, making accurate differentiation crucial to avoid overtreatment. This review endeavors to comprehensively discuss the clinicopathologic features of the various inflammatory and infectious dermatoses that may simulate CTCL, drawing on illustrative examples across disease categories. By highlighting important comparative features and emphasizing the importance of clinicopathologic correlation, this review outlines practical strategies for distinguishing true lymphoma from its inflammatory mimics.