Metastatic carcinoma of the skin
Ronen, M.; Cahana, M.; Stempler, D.; Trau, H.; Schewach-Millet, M.; Shuster, S.
Harefuah 107(11): 336-339
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 6530187 Document Number: 229973
A study of 39 patients (21 men, 18 women) with metastatic carcinoma of the skin seen between 1964-1983 is presented. The tumors ranged from carcinoma of the breast to epithelial tumors of the genito-urinary tract. Skin metastases from internal malignancies were recognized by the presence of foreign cells in the dermis. Epidermotrophism was uncommon and was observed in only 3 cases of metastatic breast carcinoma. The morphology of the metastases was sometimes sufficiently distinctive to enable recognition of the primary site. In 8 cases the skin metastases constituted the initial clinical manifestation of the underlying tumor, and helped to detect the primary in its early stages while still amenable to resection. Most of the metastases were solitary and their removal, during or following treatment of the primary lesions, constituted adequate therapy. Recognition of these tumors as metastatic may save the patient much discomfort and disfigurement by avoiding radical procedures or unwarranted chemotherapeutic trials.