Cutaneous metastasis of breast adenocarcinoma: erysipeloid carcinoma

Abstract

Skin metastases of an internal malignant tumor are rare, appearing in 1%-2% of the patients and mostly by lymphatic or vascular routes. Breast cancer is the type most commonly metastasizing to the skin. Lesions take the form of firm painless skin-colored or red-pink nodules or papules. Other forms of presentation are erysipelas-like or scarring inflammatory lesions. A case is presented of a female 72-year-old patient of skin phototype V and a history of arrhythmia, for which she had a pacemaker installed, and breast cancer diagnosed five years ago and treated by left mastectomy. Two years ago a lesion appeared on the skin of the surgical wound area, for which several treatments were indicated without any improvement. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of the breast neoplasm of the erysipeloid carcinoma type. Fast recognition of cutaneous metastases is important, for they may be the first sign of an internal malignant tumor of a bad prognosis. They may also be used as indicators of the response to systemic treatments.