Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma

CBCL lesions can look like pimples, bug bites, allergic reactions, scabs or skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis). Because of this, many people wait to seek medical attention. But if you have any skin abnormalities, you should talk to a healthcare provider, such as your primary care provider or a dermatologist.

Your healthcare provider can diagnose CBCL with a physical examination and skin biopsy. During a physical exam, your healthcare provider will look at your skin all over your body, carefully assessing any abnormalities. During a skin biopsy, they’ll remove a small piece of tissue so an expert can look at it under a microscope. A biopsy can identify skin lymphoma and its subtype.

Your healthcare provider might order staging tests to determine whether the cancer has spread. These tests might include:

• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests such as CT scan or PET scan.
• Bone marrow biopsy.
• Biopsy of the lymph nodes.

What are the stages of B-cell skin lymphoma?

CBCL stage describes whether the cancer has spread and how much. The stage is important because it guides treatment decisions. Your healthcare provider will explain what stage the cancer is in and what it means for you.

Stage 1E (for extranodal) affects only your skin and hasn’t spread anywhere else. It may also be called stage 1AE if you have no additional “B” symptoms, such as weight loss.

If CBCL has spread, healthcare providers use the TNM staging system:

• Tumor: “T” documents the number of papules, nodules or tumors, how big they are and where they are. The numbered scale ranges from less to more serious (1 to 3).
• Nodes: “N” indicates whether lymph nodes are involved, how many and where they are. The scale ranges from less to more serious (0 to 3).
• Metastasis: “M” refers to whether lymphoma has metastasized (spread) beyond your skin or lymph nodes (M1) or not spread (M0).