Real-Life Barriers to Diagnosis of Early Mycosis Fungoides: An International Expert Panel Discussion
Year: 2022
Type: review
Abstract: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that is challenging to diagnose due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and complex histology. The subtlety of the initial clinical appearance of MF can result in diagnostic delays and hesitancy to refer suspected cases to specialist clinics. An unmet need remains for greater awareness and education. Therefore, an international expert panel of dermatologists, oncologists, hematologists, and dermatopathologists convened to discuss and identify barriers to early and accurate MF diagnosis that could guide clinicians toward making a correct diagnosis. Confirmation of MF requires accurate assessment of symptoms and clinical signs, and subsequent correlation with dermatopathological findings. This review summarizes the expert panel's guidance, based on the literature and real-life experience, for dermatologists to help include MF in their list of differential diagnoses, along with simple clinical and histopathologic checklists that may help clinicians to suspect and identify potential MF lesions and reduce diagnostic delays.
Institutions: Tel Aviv University, Rabin Medical Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Leiden University Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ruijin Hospital, The Christie Hospital, Yale Cancer Center, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, City Of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,790
OpenAlex ID: W4309287222