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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

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Open Access 18-11-2022 | Mycosis Fungoides | Current Opinion

Real-Life Barriers to Diagnosis of Early Mycosis Fungoides: An International Expert Panel Discussion

Authors: Emmilia Hodak, Larisa Geskin, Emmanuella Guenova, Pablo L. Ortiz-Romero, Rein Willemze, Jie Zheng, Richard Cowan, Francine Foss, Cristina Mangas, Christiane Querfeld

Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | Issue 1/2023

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.

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Title: Real-Life Barriers to Diagnosis of Early Mycosis Fungoides: An International Expert Panel Discussion
Authors: Emmilia Hodak
Larisa Geskin
Emmanuella Guenova
Pablo L. Ortiz-Romero
Rein Willemze
Jie Zheng
Richard Cowan
Francine Foss
Cristina Mangas
Christiane Querfeld
Publication date: 18-11-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Mycosis Fungoides
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 1175-0561
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1888
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-022-00732-w

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Real-Life Barriers to Diagnosis of Early Mycosis Fungoides: An International Expert Panel Discussion

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