Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

The term cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) was originally coined to encompass the spectrum of mycosis fungoides (MF), Sezary syndrome , and related variants. 18 In the past few years it has become increasingly evident that the histopathologic diagnosis of CTCL is perhaps one of the most difficult to make in all of histopathology . This is especially true of early disease but also extends to more advanced cases. The list of histologic simulants of CTCL is long and ever-growing. It ranges from unusual presentations of such common dermatoses as contact dermatitis to uncommon conditions, such as pseudolymphoma caused by phenytoin or other medications. 17 , 54 A rare presentation of lupus erythematosus, the eruption of lymphocyte recovery, and a group of incompletely defined CD-8 mediated inflammatory disorders in AIDS have recently been added to this list. 21 , 23 , 71