Cutaneous metastases from internal cancers.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous metastases (CMs) from carcinoma are relatively uncommon, being usually late events in the course of internal malignancies. CMs from internal tumors seen at a secondary dermatological centre in Tunis are reported.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the available clinical records and histological material of all patients with CMs from internal malignancies was performed over a 14-year period.


RESULTS
Fourteen cases of CMs were recorded: 8 males and 6 females. The age range was 53 to 96 years, with a mean of 63.5 years for males and 76.5 years for females. CMs represented the first indication of an internal malignancy in 64% of cases. Firm solitary or multiple nodules were the most relevant clinical presentation (93%). Preferred sites were the thorax (50%), the abdomen (29%), and the head and neck region (21%). The common sites of primary malignancy were the lungs (38%) in males and breast (33%) in females. Four out of 14 patients died within a short follow-up period (mean 9.5 months).


CONCLUSIONS
CMs are relatively rare in patients with internal cancers, but they may be a presenting sign of such cancers.
Benmously
R
R
Habib Thameur Dermatology Department, 8 Ali Ben Ayed Street, 1008 Montfleury, Tunis, Tunisia. rym.benmously@rns.tn
Souissi
A
A
Badri
T
T
Ben Jannet
S
S
Marrak
H
H
Mokhtar
I
I
Fenniche
S
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology