The sign of Leser-Trélat in a young woman with osteogenic sarcoma

Abstract

The sign of Leser-Trélat refers to a sudden increase in size and number of seborrheic keratoses associated with internal malignancy. The validity of this cutaneous sign continues to be debated, particularly because of the prevalence of both seborrheic keratoses and malignancy in the elderly population. Preceding inflammatory skin conditions are known to precipitate eruptions of seborrheic keratoses in otherwise healthy persons. These cutaneous lesions may also be associated with other markers of underlying malignancy such as acanthosis nigricans. We present a young female patient with osteogenic sarcoma in whom eruptive seborrheic keratoses developed. We believe this case is representative of the sign of Leser-Trélat.