Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2021.60.04.19

Can Skin Be a Marker for Internal Malignancy? Evidence from Clinical Cases

Liborija Lugović-Mihić orcid.org/0000-0001-7494-5742 ; Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirela Krišto ; Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Špoljar ; Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Gaby Novak-Bilić orcid.org/0000-0003-3705-4259 ; Unit of Dermatology and Venereology, Zabok General Hospital, Bračak/Zabok, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Iva Bešlić ; Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Majda Vučić ; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Ljudevit Jurak Department of Pathology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Šitum ; Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Although there are many single case reports on paraneoplastic dermatoses in the
literature, there are very rare articles containing multiple cases. A retrospective study was performed to
examine paraneoplastic dermatoses and accompanying malignancies based on skin manifestations and
appropriate diagnostic evaluations. We recorded outcomes, current conditions, and surgical/oncologic
treatments. Analysis revealed paraneoplastic dermatoses in 17 patients with various skin lesions, i.e.
eczematous dermatitis, vasculitis, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, pruritus, chronic urticaria/
angioedema, alopecia areata, flushing, bullous pemphigoid, dermatomyositis, and localized scleroderma
(morphea). They were associated with different solid and hematologic malignancies (3 gastric, 2
prostate, 2 bladder, 2 thyroid, and 2 lymphoma), along with 1 case each of the following: lung, hepatocellular,
esophageal, endometrial, kidney, and multiple myeloma. The majority of skin lesions gradually
regressed after malignancy treatment. To our knowledge, our three cases of paraneoplastic eczematous
dermatitis are the first to be associated with gastric, prostate and endometrial cancer. Additionally,
we report a case of a patient with alopecia areata of the beard associated with thyroid cancer.
Early malignancy detection based on skin markers makes early introduction of surgical/oncologic
therapy possible and usually leads to skin lesion regression while reducing revolving door visits to
specialists and the (financial) burden on the healthcare system.

Keywords

Cutaneous paraneoplastic disorders; Malignancy; Cancer; Skin; Eczema, Vasculitis, Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Pruritus, Urticaria, Angioedema, Alopecia, Pemphigoid, Dermatomyositis, Scleroderma

Hrčak ID:

275509

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/275509

Publication date:

1.12.2021.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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