Spectrum of cutaneous metastases in 1287 cases of internal malignancies: a study from Turkey

Cutaneous metastases may be either the initial manifestation of an internal malignancy or represent recurrent neoplastic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of cutaneous metastases in cases of internal malignancy. A total of 1287 patients with internal malignancy were included in the study. Dermatological examinations were performed on all of the patients. Skin biopsies were obtained from the suspected lesions. The type of malignancy, the time of diagnosis of the malignancy, the presence of cutaneous metastasis, and the localization sites of the cutaneous malignancy were noted. Metastases of any kind were seen in 27.4% of cases. Cutaneous metastases were seen in 1.2% of cases and were most frequently localized on the anterior chest as nodules. Cutaneous metastasis was the first sign of internal malignancy in one case. It is concluded that cutaneous metastases occur rarely and the presentation of internal malignancy with skin involvement is uncommon.