Cutaneous alerts in systemic malignancy: part I

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The skin, being highly accessible, offers non-invasive insights into systemic diseases.
• Cutaneous manifestations are often overlooked in the context of internal malignancy.
• While classic paraneoplastic syndromes are well-documented, other skin conditions can also indicate malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To familiarize dermatologists and clinicians with cutaneous signs and symptoms indicative of underlying malignancy.
• To highlight the diagnostic value of skin examination in detecting cancer.
• To present a range of skin conditions associated with malignancy or increased cancer risk.

Main Methods:

• Review of medical literature on cutaneous manifestations of internal malignancy.
• Classification of skin conditions based on clinical morphology.
• Grouping of conditions by their most characteristic features.

Main Results:

• A wide spectrum of skin conditions, beyond classic paraneoplastic syndromes, can signal malignancy.
• Skin examination provides valuable, non-invasive information for diagnosing systemic disease.
• Conditions are presented in groups based on morphology for clarity.

Conclusions:

• Dermatologists and clinicians should consider skin examination as a crucial tool for early cancer diagnosis.
• Recognizing diverse cutaneous signs can lead to the detection of underlying malignancies.
• Various skin conditions serve as important indicators of cancer risk.