Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report
Abstract Background Our patient presents with a novel presentation of a fungated ulcerated skin lesion as the initial presentation of lung cancer. The literature describes skin metastases from lung cancer as nodular, papular, and zosteriform. Our case is a fungating ulcerated skin lesion which is no...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03352-4 |
| _version_ | 1828262595546578944 |
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| author | Rose Chisenga Tasneem Adenwala William Kim Daniel Mujuni Rachel Samuel |
| author_facet | Rose Chisenga Tasneem Adenwala William Kim Daniel Mujuni Rachel Samuel |
| author_sort | Rose Chisenga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Our patient presents with a novel presentation of a fungated ulcerated skin lesion as the initial presentation of lung cancer. The literature describes skin metastases from lung cancer as nodular, papular, and zosteriform. Our case is a fungating ulcerated skin lesion which is not widely reported in literature. There is a still a need for more data on the clinical presentation and prognosis of such cases as it will elucidate the diagnostic challenges and treatment management. Case presentation We present a case of a 55 year old Caucasian male with a 60-pack-year smoking history initially presenting with a nodule on his right upper back that quickly fungated and ulcerated requiring surgical excision. Biopsy of both the skin lesion and the lung mass confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the lung mass being the primary tumor. The patient’s clinical and functional status severely declined during his hospital stay and was later discharged to hospice without therapeutic intervention. He later expired a month after hospice stay. Conclusions Although uncommon, this case clearly illustrates that skin metastases can be the initial finding of primary lung cancer and that not all patients with lung cancer will present with bronchopulmonary symptoms. It also illustrates that a fungating ulcerated lesion can be the initial presentation of lung cancer in addition to nodular, papular, and zosteriform presentations noted in the literature. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T03:57:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1520a2c672354b6392515b24689369e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T03:57:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-1520a2c672354b6392515b24689369e92022-12-22T03:03:35ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472022-04-011611710.1186/s13256-022-03352-4Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case reportRose Chisenga0Tasneem Adenwala1William Kim2Daniel Mujuni3Rachel Samuel4Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaAbstract Background Our patient presents with a novel presentation of a fungated ulcerated skin lesion as the initial presentation of lung cancer. The literature describes skin metastases from lung cancer as nodular, papular, and zosteriform. Our case is a fungating ulcerated skin lesion which is not widely reported in literature. There is a still a need for more data on the clinical presentation and prognosis of such cases as it will elucidate the diagnostic challenges and treatment management. Case presentation We present a case of a 55 year old Caucasian male with a 60-pack-year smoking history initially presenting with a nodule on his right upper back that quickly fungated and ulcerated requiring surgical excision. Biopsy of both the skin lesion and the lung mass confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the lung mass being the primary tumor. The patient’s clinical and functional status severely declined during his hospital stay and was later discharged to hospice without therapeutic intervention. He later expired a month after hospice stay. Conclusions Although uncommon, this case clearly illustrates that skin metastases can be the initial finding of primary lung cancer and that not all patients with lung cancer will present with bronchopulmonary symptoms. It also illustrates that a fungating ulcerated lesion can be the initial presentation of lung cancer in addition to nodular, papular, and zosteriform presentations noted in the literature.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03352-4Lung cancerSquamous cell carcinomaSkin metastasesFungating Ulcerated skin lesionCase report |
| spellingShingle | Rose Chisenga Tasneem Adenwala William Kim Daniel Mujuni Rachel Samuel Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Lung cancer Squamous cell carcinoma Skin metastases Fungating Ulcerated skin lesion Case report |
| title | Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report |
| title_full | Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report |
| title_short | Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion: a case report |
| title_sort | squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as a fungating ulcerated skin lesion a case report |
| topic | Lung cancer Squamous cell carcinoma Skin metastases Fungating Ulcerated skin lesion Case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03352-4 |
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