Cutaneous Lymphoma vs Psoriasis

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

Feature
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Psoriasis
Category
Malignant
Common
Key feature
Cancer of immune cells affecting the skin. Early stages look like eczema or psoriasis, making diagnosis difficult.
Chronic autoimmune condition causing thick, silvery scaly patches. Affects 2-3% of the population. Not contagious.
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 psoriasis (strongest risk factor); Stress (major trigger for flares); Obesity
Action needed
Persistent flat, scaly patches that do not respond to eczema or psoriasis treatment
Persistent thick, scaly patches that do not respond to moisturizers

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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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly accelerates skin cell growth. Normal skin cells mature and shed in about a month; in psoriasis, this process takes only 3-4 days, causing cells to pile up into thick, silvery-white scales on red, inflamed patches.

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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 →