A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
8
Tumors are raised “bumps”
or “nodules” which may or
may not ulcerate (open sores).
A common characteristic
is itching, although not all
patients experience this
symptom. Most of the time
patients present with patches
or plaques. Only rarely are the
tumors the presenting lesion.
While it is possible to have all
three of these types of lesions
at the same time, most people
who have had the disease for
many years experienced only
one or two types of lesions,
generally patches and plaques.
While on average MF is an
indolent, chronic disease, the
course in
individual patients
is unpredictable. It can be
slow, rapid or static. Most
patients will only experience
skin symptoms without serious
complications. About 10%
will see the disease progress
to lymph nodes or other
internal organs with serious
complications. Unlike other
types of skin cancer, chiefly
melanoma, MF almost never
progresses to lymph nodes and internal organs without showing very
obvious signs of progression in the skin. Many patients live normal lives
while treating their disease, some remaining in remission for long periods
of time.
MF is very difficult to diagnose in early stages as symptoms and skin
biopsy findings are similar to other skin conditions, leading to frequent
misdiagnosis. Patients may go on for years before a definitive diagnosis
Tumors
Plaques
Patches
Photos courtesy of Dr. Henry K. Wong
