Skin manifestations of internal malignancy – A descriptive study

Olasseri K Reena Mariyath; Uma Rajan; Thayyilakandy Ajayakumar; Gopalapillai Nandakumar; Manikoth P Binitha; Najeeba Riyaz; Puthenpurakkal K Sasidharan

Volume : V, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Skin manifestations of internal malignancy – A descriptive study

Olasseri K Reena Mariyath, Uma Rajan, Thayyilakandy Ajayakumar, Gopalapillai Nandakumar, Manikoth P Binitha, Najeeba Riyaz, Puthenpurakkal K Sasidharan

Abstract :

Background: Most of the previous studies regarding skin manifestations of internal malignancies were about direct spread and cutaneous metastasis. Only few studies are available about paraneoplastic dermatoses. Aims: To find out the different types of skin manifestations in internal malignancy and to determine the frequency and type of malignancies presenting with skin manifestations. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the departments of radiotherapy, haemato–oncology and dermatology of a tertiary care centre. Three hundred and fifty patients with internal malignancy were examined to find out the skin manifestations. Results: Skin manifestations were seen in 119 (34 %) patients out of which 99 (28.3%) patients had paraneoplastic dermatoses, 16 (4.5%) patients had specific lesions (direct spread and cutaneous metastases) and four (1.1%) patients had both specific and paraneoplastic lesions. Common malignancies showing skin manifestations were haematological malignancies in 32 (26.9%) patients, carcinoma lung in 29 (24.4%), carcinoma east in 12 (10%) and carcinoma oral cavity in nine (7.5%) patients. Skin manifestation was the first sign of malignancy in 27 (7.7%) patients out of which specific lesions were seen in five (1.4%) patients and paraneoplastic dermatoses in 22 (6.3%) patients. Malignancies presented with skin lesions were haematological malignancies in 12 (3.4%) patients, carcinoma lung in seven (2%), carcinoma pancreas and east in three (0.9%) patients each and carcinoma cervix and ovary in two patients. Conclusions: Skin manifestations can be the warning sign of malignancy. Early detection of skin signs helps in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancy.