Facial skin metastasis due to small-cell lung cancer: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Cutaneous metastases in the facial region occur in less than 0.5% of patients with metastatic cancer. They are an important finding and are not often the first sign leading to diagnosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p&g...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barbetakis Nikolaos, Samanidis Georgios, Paliouras Dimitrios, Samanidou Elpida, Tzimorota Zoi, Asteriou Christos, Xirou Persefoni, Tsilikas Christodoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-01-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Online Access:http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/3/1/32
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Cutaneous metastases in the facial region occur in less than 0.5% of patients with metastatic cancer. They are an important finding and are not often the first sign leading to diagnosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the case of a 64-year-old male patient who presented with dyspnea, pleuritic pain, loss of weight and a nodule on his left cheek. A chest X-ray revealed a left upper lobe mass with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Excision biopsy of the facial nodule revealed small-cell lung carcinoma. Palliative chemo-radiotherapy was administered and the patient survived for 12 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A high index of suspicion is necessary for the early detection of facial cutaneous metastases. Appropriate treatment may prolong patient survival.</p>
ISSN:1752-1947