Dermatologic Manifestations of Metastatic Carcinomas Follow-up

  • Author: Thomas N Helm, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 26, 2012
 

Prognosis

When metastasis occurs, the prognosis is guarded, but many patients now survive many years with directed therapy. Treatment and prognosis are changing rapidly, with a much brighter outlook than just a few years ago

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Patient Education

For patient education resources, see the Cancer and Tumors Center, as well as Skin Cancer and Skin Biopsy.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Thomas N Helm, MD  Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Buffalo, State University of New York School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Director, Buffalo Medical Group Dermatopathology Laboratory

Thomas N Helm, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Thomas C Lee, MD  Intern, Department of Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD  Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Savoia P, Fava P, Deboli T, Quaglino P, Bernengo MG. Zosteriform cutaneous metastases: a literature meta-analysis and a clinical report of three melanoma cases. Dermatol Surg. Sep 2009;35(9):1355-63. [Medline].

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  4. Bhargava R, Dabbs DJ. Immunohistology of Metastatic Carcinomas of Unknown Primary. In: Dabbs, DJ, ed. Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry: theranostic and genomic applications. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:206-55.

  5. Krug B, Crott R, Lonneux M, Baurain JF, Pirson AS, Vander Borght T. Role of PET in the initial staging of cutaneous malignant melanoma: systematic review. Radiology. Dec 2008;249(3):836-44. [Medline].

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  11. Kubota Y, Mir LM, Nakada T, Sasagawa I, Suzuki H, Aoyama N. Successful treatment of metastatic skin lesions with electrochemotherapy. J Urol. Oct 1998;160(4):1426. [Medline].

  12. Brownstein MH, Helwig EB. Metastatic tumors of the skin. Cancer. May 1972;29(5):1298-307. [Medline].

  13. Healey PM, Malott K, Chalet MD. Cancers metastatic to the skin. In: Friedman RJ, Rigel DS, Harris MN, Baker D. Cancer of the Skin. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1991:347-63.

  14. Lookingbill DP, Helm KF. Metastatic tumors. In: Demis J. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven; 1997:1-7.

  15. Resnik KS, DiLeonardo M, Gibbons G. Clinically occult cutaneous metastases. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dec 2006;55(6):1044-7. [Medline].

  16. Sahin S, Hindioglu U, Benekli M, Sivri B, Sokmensuer C, Sungur A. Peculiar inflammatory cutaneous metastasis from stomach adenocarcinoma. Br J Dermatol. Apr 1997;136(4):650-2. [Medline].

  17. Schwartz RA. Metastatic cancer of the skin. In: Skin Cancer Recognition and Management. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1998:185-93.

  18. Spencer PS, Helm TN. Skin metastases in cancer patients. Cutis. Feb 1987;39(2):119-21. [Medline].

  19. Steck WD, Helwig EB. Tumors of the Umbilicus. Cancer. Jul 1965;18:907-15. [Medline].

  20. Strohl RA. Cutaneous manifestations of malignant disease. Dermatol Nurs. Feb 1998;10(1):23-5. [Medline].

  21. Tschen EH, Apisarnthanarax P. Inflammatory metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Arch Dermatol. Feb 1981;117(2):120-1. [Medline].

  22. Zalla MJ, Roenigk RK. Metastatic carcinoma. In: Maloney M, Helm KF. Surgical Dermatopathology. Malden, Mass: Blackwell; 1999:389-436.

 
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Alopecia neoplastica due to metastatic breast cancer.
Close-up view of patient with alopecia neoplastica due to metastatic breast cancer shows telangiectases and nodularity. The plaque was markedly indurated on palpation, unlike alopecia areata, which would exhibit normal skin texture.
Low-power view of breast cancer metastasis with surrounding fibrosis.
Breast cancer metastasis with hyperchromatic cells extending between thickened collagen bundles. Dilated lymphatics are noted.
Breast cancer with an Indian file pattern of metastasis.
A well-circumscribed metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is surrounded with compressed collagen, indicative of rapid growth.
Pleomorphic clear cells with prominent vasculature are characteristic of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Metastatic carcinoma of the skin. Metastatic squamous cell cancer typically does not involve the epidermis, allowing for differentiation from a primary cutaneous squamous cell cancer.
 
 
 
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