Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Diagnosis

Because the symptoms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma usually involve the skin, a dermatologist is often the first person to diagnose CTCL. A diagnosis involves:

• An interview. Your doctor will talk with you about details of your symptoms and when they began.
• Physical examination. Your doctor will examine your skin for patchy, scaly regions or solid, raised tumors. You will also be examined for signs that your lymph nodes or other organs might be affected.
• Blood tests. You may be tested to determine if there are skin lymphoma cells in your blood.
• Skin or other biopsies. A pathologist examines a small sample of skin removed during a biopsy to determine whether it contains cancerous cells. You may need multiple skin biopsies to confirm your diagnosis.