title: A woman with treated breast cancer, recent neurological symptoms and xanthoderma.
abstract: We describe a 69-year-old-woman with antecedent of breast cancer and recent transitory neurological symptoms. Physical examination showed yellow to orange skin pigmentation, more conspicuous on her palms and soles, while discoloration changes were absent in the eye and oral mucous membranes. Routine laboratory findings were not indicative of hemolytic anemia, liver or bile disorders, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus. We emphasize the role of her excessive ingestion of papaw and tomato. These foods are rich in carotenoids (β-carotene and lycopene), which are associated with pigmentation disorders. The skin discoloration improved in about two months after correction of the inadequate diet. Major concerns about differential diagnosis of yellow skin pigmentation are also highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Catholic University (UCB) AND Armed Forces Hospital (HFA), Brasília-DF, Brazil. vitorinomodesto@gmail.com
authors.forename: Vitorino Modesto dos
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Anna Gabriela Oliveira
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Camilo
authors.forename: Leonardo Aquino de
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Diogo Wagner da Silva de
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Christiane Silveira
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.forename: Lucas Maciel Rodrigues
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002338:Carotenoids; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids