A skin metastasis is often a very firm, stony-hard nodule, whereas a pseudolymphoma lesion is typically softer and more fleshy.
Jessner's presents as asymptomatic, annular, reddish-brown plaques on the face and upper trunk that lack scale, a different morphology than the nodules of lymphoid hyperplasia.
This subtype of lupus also presents as non-scarring, erythematous plaques, but it is exquisitely photosensitive, a feature not required for lymphoid hyperplasia.
This is the malignant counterpart and the key differential; it is distinguished by clonality studies on biopsy, which show a monoclonal infiltrate in true lymphoma versus a polyclonal one in benign hyperplasia.
This is a transient, itchy eruption that occurs after sun exposure and resolves spontaneously, unlike the persistent nature of cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia.
