Korean J Dermatol.  2017 Aug;55(7):440-444.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with Arsenic Keratosis in a Psoriasis Patient Treated with Ustekinumab: A Case Report

• Jung SY

Abstract

A 53-year-old Korean woman with known history of psoriasis and treatment with ustekinumab over 16 months, presented with a nontender erythematous plaque with oozing noted on her left sole. Histopathologic examination of the lesion confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although use of ustekinumab was considered a possible risk factor for the development of SCC, administration of ustekinumab was continued per her request following an operation for removal of the SCC. And 19 months later, newly developed multiple hyperkeratotic papules on her soles were diagnosed as arsenic keratosis based on her past history of consumption of Chinese traditional herbal medicine. I concluded that SCC in this patient was not caused by ustekinumab, but was associated with arsenic keratosis. This case emphasizes that screening for risk factors associated with skin malignancies, such as exposure to arsenic or presence of arsenic keratosis, should be performed prior to using biologics in Korean psoriasis patients.

Keyword

Arsenic keratosis; Nonmelanoma skin cancer; Psoriasis; Squamous cell carcinoma; Ustekinumab

MeSH Terms

Arsenic*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Biological Products
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Epithelial Cells*
Female
Herbal Medicine
Humans
Keratosis*
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Psoriasis*
Risk Factors
Skin
Ustekinumab*
Arsenic
Biological Products
Ustekinumab