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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Dual-mode Imaging of Cutaneous Tissue Oxygenation and Vascular Function
Published on: December 8, 2010
Cutaneous Metastasis
John D Strickley1, Alfred Bennett Jenson2, Jae Yeon Jung3
1James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Department of Dermatology, Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
Cutaneous metastases, or cancer spread to the skin, indicate advanced disease and a poor prognosis. This review covers their varied appearances, common causes like breast cancer and melanoma, and treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cutaneous metastases signify advanced malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- While breast cancer and melanoma are most common, other cancers like lung, colon, and hematologic malignancies can also spread to the skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentations and syndromes of cutaneous metastases.
- To discuss current and potential treatment strategies for skin involvement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cutaneous metastases.
- Description of clinical appearances and syndromes.
- Overview of treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Cutaneous metastases present with diverse clinical morphologies.
- Various primary malignancies can metastasize to the skin.
- Treatment encompasses skin-directed therapies and systemic approaches.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the varied presentations of cutaneous metastases is crucial for diagnosis.
- Treatment strategies should be individualized based on primary cancer type and extent of disease.
- Emerging therapies like immunotherapy offer new avenues for managing skin metastases.
