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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition

Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition

Published on: August 18, 2022

Cutaneous manifestations of internal malignancy.

Bruce H Thiers¹, Rachel E Sahn, Jeffrey P Callen

¹Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. thiersb@musc.edu

CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians

|March 5, 2009

Summary

Skin changes can signal internal cancers. This review explores paraneoplastic dermatoses, which are skin conditions occurring without direct tumor invasion, including those linked to inherited syndromes and hormone-secreting tumors.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition

Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition

Published on: August 18, 2022

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Oncology
Internal Medicine

Background:

The skin reflects systemic health, often manifesting signs of internal neoplastic diseases.
Cutaneous manifestations can be the initial presentation of underlying malignancies.
These skin changes can result from direct tumor metastasis or indirect paraneoplastic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review paraneoplastic dermatoses, focusing on indirect cutaneous manifestations of internal malignancy.
To discuss inherited syndromes associated with internal cancer risk and their dermatological signs.
To explore skin changes related to hormone-secreting tumors and other cancers.

Main Methods:

Literature review of paraneoplastic dermatoses.
Analysis of cutaneous manifestations linked to internal cancers.
Categorization of dermatoses based on association with malignancy.

Main Results:

Paraneoplastic dermatoses represent a diverse group of skin conditions indirectly associated with internal cancers.
Inherited syndromes and hormone-secreting tumors can present with specific dermatological findings.
A wide spectrum of proliferative and inflammatory dermatoses are linked to occult malignancies.

Conclusions:

Recognizing paraneoplastic dermatoses is crucial for early cancer detection.
Cutaneous signs warrant thorough investigation for underlying internal malignancy.
Further research into the mechanisms of paraneoplastic syndromes is needed.