Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast.
METASTATIC DISEASE
Malignancies periodically metastasize to the skin. It may be the presenting symptom.
- In one large study, 10% of patients with metastatic cancer had cutaneous metastases.
- Breast cancer is common in women and lung cancer in men.
- See also Sister (Mary) Joseph's Nodule.
Erythematous nodules, plaques, and tumors are typical. There may be diffuse infiltration of the skin, so called carcinoma en cuirasse. In one review of 209 patients with cutaneous metastases, the anterior thorax region was the most affected area and the second was the abdominal region. Breast cancer was most common in women and lung in men. Very rarely, metastatic breast cancer may be pigmented. Always look for lymphadenopathy.
Differential Diagnosis
In certain situations, an infectious cause, e.g. deep fungal, syphilis may be considered.
Lung cancer metastatic to the scalp.
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