[A woman with paraneoplastic dermatoses; signs of recurrent malignancy]

Abstract

Background: Paraneoplastic dermatoses may be the first manifestation of a malignancy. Rapid recognition is therefore important.

Case description: A 72-year-old woman who had been treated in the past for metastasised neuroendocrine carcinoma and had undergone curative treatment for stage-1c endometrial carcinoma developed three paraneoplastic dermatoses over a 2-year period: acanthosis nigricans, tripe palms and acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa. Half a year later, cutaneous metastases derived from the endometrial carcinoma treated 12 years prior were discovered.

Conclusion: The development of three paraneoplastic dermatoses in a short period of time is rare. Acanthosis nigricans, tripe palms and acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa can develop in association with both neuroendocrine and endometrial carcinoma. The sudden development of paraneoplastic dermatoses is frequently a forewarning of progression of the malignancy.