Ann Surg Treat Res.  2017 Nov;93(5):277-280. 10.4174/astr.2017.93.5.277.

Cutaneous metastasis: a rare phenomenon of colorectal cancer

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
  • 2Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. zjxu@zju.edu.cn

Abstract

Cutaneous metastases from colorectal cancer are extremely rare and generally appear several years after diagnosis or resection of the primary tumor. Although this phenomenon is uncommon, it is very important and often indicates a poor prognosis. We present a case of a 76-year-old female patient with multiple cutaneous metastatic nodules on the back, just 1 month after resection of rectal cancer. Unfortunately, the patient gave up the follow-up treatment due to her age and poor physical condition; she died 3 months later. In view of its rarity of occurrence and lack of experience in treatment, we reviewed the literature and report as follows.

Keyword

Colorectal neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis; Cutaneous

MeSH Terms

Aged
Colorectal Neoplasms*
Diagnosis
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Prognosis
Rectal Neoplasms

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Multiple subcutaneous nodules on the patient's back.

  • Fig. 2 Metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma involving skin: poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, a few glands but largely composed of infiltrating nests of tumor cells (A: H&E, ×100; B: H&E, ×400). ented. More effective treatment modalities need further exploration.

  • Fig. 3 Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CK20 (×100).

  • Fig. 4 Rapidly increasing gingiva nodule.


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