Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas other than mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. Part I: Clinical and histologic features and diagnosis

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are defined as lymphomas with a T-cell phenotype that present in the skin without evidence of systemic or extracutaneous disease at initial presentation. CTCLs other than mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (SS) account for approximately one third of CTCLs and encompass a heterogenous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, ranging from indolent lymphoproliferative disorders to aggressive malignancies with a poor prognosis. The spectrum of CTCLs continues to broaden as new provisional entities are classified. Given the morphologic and histologic overlap among CTCLs and other diagnoses, a thorough clinical history, physical evaluation, and clinicopathologic correlation are essential in the work up and diagnosis of these rare entities. This article will summarize the epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, and diagnostic features of CTCLs other than mycosis fungoides and SS.