Trabecular carcinoma of the skin simulating metastatic disease

A case of trabecular carcinoma of the skin that resulted in prequarter amputation of the arm for local tumor aggressiveness is presented. The tumor was originally diagnosed as metastatic, most probably neuroblastoma, leading to inadequate local resection that resulted in recurrence with extensive regional nodal metastases. The importance of recognizing trabecular carcinoma as a primary tumor of the skin with a potential for recurrence and metastasis is underscored, primarily since initial total excision with adequate margins of resection has proven in most instances to be curative.