Cutaneous Lymphoma vs Eczema

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Eczema
Category
Malignant
Common
Key feature
Cancer of immune cells affecting the skin. Early stages look like eczema or psoriasis, making diagnosis difficult.
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Risk factors
Age 50-60 (most common at diagnosis); Male sex (2:1 male-to-female ratio); No clearly established environmental risk factors
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Action needed
Persistent flat, scaly patches that do not respond to eczema or psoriasis treatment
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone

Cutaneous Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a group of cancers that originate in T-lymphocytes (immune cells) and primarily affect the skin. The most common form is mycosis fungoides, which accounts for about half of all cutaneous lymphomas.

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Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing red, itchy, dry, and sometimes weeping or crusting patches. It is the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.

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Does yours look more like cutaneous lymphoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like cutaneous lymphoma? Answer 2 questions.

Do you have persistent patches that have not responded to typical eczema or psoriasis treatment?

Are the patches mainly in sun-protected areas (buttocks, trunk, upper thighs)?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →