eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Malignant Neoplasms

Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin: Follow-up

Author: Thomas N Helm, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, State University of New York at Buffalo; Director, Buffalo Medical Group Dermatopathology Laboratory
Coauthor(s): Thomas C Lee, MD, Intern, Department of Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 14, 2008

Follow-up

Prognosis

  • When metastasis occurs, the prognosis is guarded, with many patients surviving only a few months.
  • The average survival time from diagnosis of cutaneous metastases to death of common cancers are as follows:
    • Breast cancer - 31 months
    • Colorectal cancers - 18 months
    • Melanoma - 16 months
    • Oral cavity cancer - 9 months
    • Lung cancer - 5 months

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to perform a biopsy on a metastasis may lead to a delay in treatment. Lesions that exactly mimic cysts, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granulomas, or hemangiomas have all been reported. A high index of suspicion is needed so that tumors are not overlooked.

Special Concerns

The authors would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of Matthew Helm. Mr. Helm extended extraordinary time and effort to compile, research, and cross-check data outlining the workup for undifferentiated carcinoma. His excellent contributions are greatly appreciated.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of Matthew Helm. Mr. Helm extended extraordinary time and effort to compile, research, and cross-check data outlining the workup for undifferentiated carcinoma. His excellent contributions are greatly appreciated.



More on Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin

Overview: Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin
Treatment & Medication: Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin
Follow-up: Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin
Multimedia: Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

skin cancer, cancer metastasis, carcinoma metastasis, cutaneous metastases, cutaneous metastasis, skin carcinoma, skin metastasis, skin metastases

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Thomas N Helm, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, State University of New York at Buffalo; 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.

Medical Editor

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-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.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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.

Managing Editor

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

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine 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, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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