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Learning The Basics
Why It Takes Time to Get a Diagnosis
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a complex disorder which often takes a
significant amount of time to diagnose. Various studies indicate that the
average time from first appearance of symptoms to confirmed diagnosis of
the disease ranges from two to seven years.
This delay can lead to frustration for both the patient and healthcare
providers. There are two main reasons why diagnosis can take time to
confirm. The first is that the disease presents differently on the skin.
Only after patients do not respond to traditional therapies for less severe
conditions do some physicians consider an alternate diagnosis. Also,
there is no single test that will be positive for cutaneous lymphoma every
time. The most useful test is a skin biopsy because lesions that appear
very similar on the skin may look quite different under the microscope.
Many patients require multiple biopsies before a satisfying and complete
diagnosis is made.
The need for multiple, sequential biopsies can be exasperating and difficult
for patients to understand. Some pathologists compare making the
diagnosis from a single biopsy to experiencing a party through a keyhole.
One glance may tell you what kind of party it is, but you will not get the full
picture until you walk through the door.
Mycosis fungoides is difficult to diagnose in early stages as the symptoms
and skin biopsy findings are similar to those of other conditions. There are
often misdiagnoses for this exact reason and patients need to be persistent.
It also may require seeking out a cutaneous lymphoma specialist at a
larger health center. These specialists see many patients with cutaneous
lymphoma and work with a multidisciplinary team when diagnosing
patients.
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Common Procedures For Obtaining A Proper Diagnosis
• Physical exam and history
• Blood tests
• Skin biopsies
