Cutaneous metastases different clinical presentations: case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Cutaneous metastasis (CM) is a rare clinical entity with an incidence of less than 10% among oncology patients. Dissemination to the skin can be via bloodstream, lymphatics, direct expansion or by seeding after surgical procedures. Skin metastases usually develop months to years after the diagnosis of the primary tumor, while it may be the opposite in some rare cases. CM has various clinical presentations; diagnoses can be easily overseen as CM can mimic other dermatologic diseases. Herein, we present five different cutaneous metastasis cases, each with distinct dermatological presentation. Our main aim here is to allow dermatologists to consider skin metastases in the differential diagnoses of dermatological diseases, in their clinical practice.

Keywords: Cutaneous metastasis; dermatooncology; internal malignancies.

Figure 1.

A) Multiple, erythematous, pruritic nodules in the scrotal region of the patient; B) Multiple, erythematous and skin coloured, pruritic nodules on the posterior trunk of the patient.

Figure 2.

A) Red, firm nodules with hemorrhagic crusts on an erythematous background on left breast of the patient; B) Red-violet plaque on the nose tip, with desquamation and hemorrhagic crusts.

Figure 3.

Livid, painful nodule on right submandibular region of the patient.