title: Malignant acanthosis nigricans: potential role of chemotherapy.
abstract: Acanthosis nigricans is an uncommon skin condition characterized by hyperkeratosis and skin hyperpigmentation. Most causes are benign, but it may also be associated with gastrointestinal and other malignancies. When associated with malignant disease, the skin pathology may be more severe and treatment often unsuccessful. We describe a 66-year-old man with acanthosis nigricans associated with carcinoma of the stomach, with distressing generalized cutaneous, perioral and perineal disease, whose skin condition resolved completely with combination chemotherapy. In patients with malignant acanthosis, chemotherapy may relieve many of the distressing cutaneous symptoms. A close liaison between gastroenterologists, dermatologists and oncologists is required.
authors.affiliation: The Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3NG, UK.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson-Peacock
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000963:Antimetabolites; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil