Cutaneous Metastasis from Solid Malignancies Heralding Underlying Dissemination: A Case Series of Rare Presentations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Metastasis to the skin remains a rare site of disease involvement in visceral malignancies. It is also a poor prognostic marker for survival. We present a case series of four cases that presented with cutaneous metastasis in a background of solid tumors of the esophagus, gall bladder, kidneys, and lungs, respectively. In all cases, the appearance of the skin lesion acted as a herald that led to the discovery of recurrence or widespread dissemination of the malignancy. Three of the patients passed away within 6 months of the appearance of skin metastases. The use of targeted therapy showed a good response in the patient with renal cell carcinoma with significant regression of disease.