Cutaneous Lymphoma vs Ringworm

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

Feature
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Ringworm
Category
Malignant
Common
Key feature
Cancer of immune cells affecting the skin. Early stages look like eczema or psoriasis, making diagnosis difficult.
Fungal infection - not a worm. Creates circular red patches with clearing centers. Contagious but easily treated.
Risk factors
Age 50-60 (most common at diagnosis); Male sex (2:1 male-to-female ratio); No clearly established environmental risk factors
Direct contact with infected people or animals; Contact sports (wrestling is high-risk); Shared changing rooms, showers, gym equipment
Action needed
Persistent flat, scaly patches that do not respond to eczema or psoriasis treatment
Ring-shaped rash not improving after 2 weeks of OTC antifungal

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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Ringworm

Ringworm (tinea corporis) is a fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophyte fungi. Despite its name, no worm is involved - the name comes from the characteristic ring-shaped rash with a raised, scaly border and clearing center.

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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 →