title: Scalp metastasis as the first sign of small-cell lung cancer: management and literature review.
abstract: Cutaneous metastasis from primary visceral malignancy is a relatively uncommon clinical entity, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.22% to 10% among various series. However, the presence of cutaneous metastasis as the first sign of a clinically silent visceral cancer is exceedingly rare. We describe here a case of an asymptomatic male patient who presented with a solitary scalp metastasis as the initial manifestation of an underlying small-cell lung cancer. Diagnostic evaluation revealed advanced disease. We conclude that the possibility of metastatic skin disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of smoking or lung cancer presenting with cutaneous nodules. Physicians should be aware of this rare clinical entity, and appropriate investigation should be arranged for early diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate treatment. The prognosis for most patients remains poor.
authors: 1 2nd Department of Surgery, Army General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos S
authors: NS
authors: Salemis
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Veloudis
authors: Kyriakos
authors: K
authors: Spiliopoulos
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Nakos
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Vrizidis
authors: Stavros
authors: S
authors: Gourgiotis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Metastasis; Scalp; Small cell lung carcinoma