Recognition of early mycosis fungoides

Abstract

Although mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous lymphomas, recognizing its early stage remains a challenging task due to its typically mild, non-specific, slowly evolving clinical symptoms that often resemble more common skin disorders. As a result, establishing the correct diagnosis usually takes a prolonged period, and several years may pass from the onset of symptoms to an accurate diagnosis. In this summary, we describe the clinical manifestations of early-stage mycosis fungoides, highlighting the features that may indicate the development of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. We outline the diagnostic process step by step and aim to provide practical guidance to improve diagnostic efficiency in clinical practice. Furthermore, we review the conditions that pose a differential diagnostic challenge and identify potential risk factors for disease development.