Dermatologic Manifestations of Metastatic Carcinomas 

  • Author: Thomas N Helm, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 2, 2010
 

Background

Cutaneous metastases from carcinoma are relatively uncommon in clinical practice, but they are very important to recognize. Cutaneous metastasis may herald the diagnosis of internal malignancy. Early recognition can lead to accurate and prompt diagnosis and timely treatment, but a high index of suspicion is required because the clinical findings may be subtle. The recognition of cutaneous metastases often dramatically alters therapeutic plans, especially when metastases signify persistence of cancer originally thought to be cured. Some tumors metastasize with predilection to specific areas. Recognition of these patterns can be useful in directing the search for an underlying tumor.

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Pathophysiology

The breast, stomach, lung, uterus, large intestine, and kidneys are the most frequent organs to produce cutaneous metastases. Cancers that have the highest propensity to metastasize to the skin include melanoma (45% of cutaneous metastasis cases), breast (30%), nasal sinuses (20%), larynx (16%), and oral cavity (12%). Because breast cancer is so common, cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer is the most frequently encountered type of cutaneous metastasis in most clinical practices. Although some tumors are very common, they may not necessarily eventuate in metastasis in a manner that parallels their incidence in the overall population. For example, prostate cancer is very common, but cutaneous metastasis from prostate carcinoma is relatively uncommon.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

The incidence of cutaneous malignancy varies. In some autopsy studies of patients with metastatic carcinoma, as many as 9% of individuals were noted to have cutaneous metastases. Other studies suggest a range of 3-4%. A 2003 meta-analysis[1] estimates a rate of cutaneous metastasis of 5.3%.

Mortality/Morbidity

The mortality rate is high in patients with cutaneous metastases. The appearance of cutaneous metastases signals widespread metastatic disease, resulting in a poor prognosis. Patients often survive for a short period, depending on the type of carcinoma, but this is changing. Exciting advances in chemotherapy have greatly increased survival in recent years.

Sex

The most common sources of cutaneous metastases in woman are the breasts (69%), the colon (9%), melanoma (5%), the ovaries (4%), and the lungs (4%). In men, they are the lungs (24%), the colon (19%), melanoma (13%), and the oral cavity (12%).

Age

  • Cutaneous metastases are very rare in children. Rhabdomyosarcoma, leukemia, and neuroblastoma are the most frequent causes in children.
  • In men younger than 40 years, the most common sources of cutaneous metastases (in decreasing order of frequency) are melanoma, colon cancer, and lung cancer. In men older than 40 years, the most common sources of cutaneous metastases (in decreasing order of frequency) are lung cancer, colon cancer, squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, and melanoma.
  • In women younger than 40 years, the most common sources of cutaneous metastases are breast cancer, colon carcinoma, and ovarian carcinoma. In women older than 40 years, they are breast carcinoma, colon carcinoma, lung cancer, ovarian carcinoma, and melanoma.
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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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