Unusual eruption of cutaneous metastases from occult gastric carcinoma shortly after HIV-1 infection.
We report a case of eruptive metastases to the skin of the face and neck from a hitherto unknown gastric carcinoma, occurring in a fifty-two-year-old man (a regular blood donor), about six months after he contracted human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. The eruption, consisting of more than thirty pea-sized cutaneous nodules appeared within about twenty days. The patient complained of epigastric pain and weight loss. Histologic examination showed signet-ring cells of gastric carcinoma metastases. Gastroscopic examination showed a widely infiltrating tumor. No metastases were found elsewhere after a careful screening. Immunologic variables were only slightly altered. This case and a brief review suggest that gastric carcinomas, possibly as well as other coincidental tumors, may present atypically during human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.
Sinicco
A
A
Institute of Infectious Disease, University of Turin, Italy.
Gagliano
P
P
Caramello
P
P
Fora
R
R
Sciandra
M
M
Novero
D
D
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors