[Report of a gastric adenocarcinoma patient who developed multiple skin metastasis after gastrectomy]

Abstract

A 59-year-old man with gastric cancer underwent a total gastrectomy with splenectomy and D2 lymph node dissection. Pathological findings after the first operation were as follows: ML, AntLess, type 3, por, pT3, ly1, v0, and M, Post, 0-II c, tub1, pT1b2, ly0, v0, pN2M0P0H0, pStage IIIA. At 3 years and 6 months after the operation, multiple small nodules were noted on the skin of his face, neck, body, and arms. Biopsy of a skin lesion indicated that it was a metastatic skin cancer resulting from an adenocarcinoma. Thus, we diagnosed the lesions as skin metastases originating from an adenocarcinoma of the stomach. We also detected the presence of multiple metastases to the bone and lymph nodes, and we have treated the patient with chemotherapy. Metastases to the umbilicus from gastric cancer are termed as Sister Mary Joseph's nodules (SMJN). Although cases of SMJN are often reported, cases of multiple metastases from gastric cancer, without invasion to the umbilicus, are rare.