Cancer Res Treat.  2013 Mar;45(1):70-73.

A Case Report of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Associated with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Cho JH
• Kim NJ
• Ko SM
• Kim C
• Ahn HK
• Yun J
• Park YH

Abstract

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering and erosive mucocutaneous syndrome associated with underlying neoplasm. It is primarily associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, and uncommonly with malignancies of epithelial origin. We report on a case of a 68-year-old male who presented with whole body bullous and erosive skin lesions. Findings on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and skin biopsy revealed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and paraneoplastic pemphigus. Palliative chemotherapy and systemic glucocorticoid were started, however, the patient died of overwhelming sepsis on the ninth day of chemotherapy. This case demonstrates that paraneoplastic pemphigus can occur in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and could be a cause of morbidity.

Keyword

Esophageal neoplasms; Squamous cell carcinoma; Pemphigus; Paraneoplastic syndromes

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Blister
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Esophageal Neoplasms
Humans
Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Male
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Pemphigus
Sepsis
Skin
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Esophageal Neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Clinical photographs. (A) The patient's eyelids showed crusted erosions. (B) Oral mucosa showed multiple ulcerative lesions and white exudates. (C) Flaccid blisters and exfoliated skin were observed on the patient's back.

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  Fig. 2 Histopathologic findings of esophageal mucosa and skin. (A) Squamous cell carcinoma with tumor cells showing variable nuclear size and sheet-like proliferation in the esophageal mucosa (H&E staining, ×400). (B) Acantholytic cells and bullous cleft formation were observed in the suprabasal layer of the skin (H&E staining, ×400).

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