[Cutaneous metastases from malignancies which do not originate from the skin. An epidemiological study]

The objective of our study was to get epidemiological data in the region of Aarau, Switzerland, about the frequency of cutaneous metastases from visceral malignancies. With a computer search we analyzed all patients with skin metastases from visceral malignancies who had attended our clinic between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2003. Out of 19 491 patients, 37 had cutaneous metastases from visceral tumours (0,19%): 25 women (67.5%) and 12 men (32.5%) were affected. 19 had breast cancer (51%), 8 sarcomas (21%), 2 leukemia (5%), 2 colorectal cancer, and one each ovary carcinoma, bronchial cancer, prostate cancer, malignant histiocytoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (3%). In 24 cases the primary malignancy was known (65%). In 35% cutaneous metastases were diagnosed at the same time as the primary tumour. Primary malignancies were diagnosed in 54% within the age range of 50-70 years, and 65% of cutaneous metastases were diagnosed within the age range of 50-80 years. In 51% skin metastases were the first site of dissemination. In 49% other known metastases were present (5% locoregional, 38% lymph nodes, 3% brain, 3% lung, 3% liver). Our study documents that cutaneous metastases from visceral malignancies are rare. However, early diagnosis has an impact concerning further treatment and prognosis.