Generalized Discoid Lupus Erythematosus as the Presenting Sign of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

A 46-year-old woman with a 30 pack-year smoking history presented with a worsening eruption on the left cheek that failed to improve with metronidazole gel. The cutaneous eruption spread to most of her face and did not respond to a brief tapering course of prednisone. During the initial evaluation at our institution, approximately 6 weeks after the onset of the cutaneous eruption, the patient had erythematous, crusted plaques on her face and scalp (Figure 1A); they were also present on the V-area of the anterior aspect of the neck and upper region of the chest, the shoulders, and the arms, with isolated lesions on the trunk and legs. Her oral mucosa had erythematous erosions on the hard palate and gingivae. A review of systems revealed pain and burning of her skin lesions, but no muscle weakness or other systemic clinical manifestations. The differential diagnosis included autoimmune connective tissue disease, pemphigus foliaceous, sarcoidosis, lichen planus, phototoxic drug eruption, and eczema herpeticum.