Title: Dermatological Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Tract Malignancies: A Rare Prospective Study
Authors: Dr Sandhya Chauhan, Dr GR Tegta, Dr RK Seam, Dr Ashok Garg, Dr GK Verma, Dr Ajeet Negi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i5.07
Abstract
Background: Dermatological manifestations of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) malignancies can be specific like cutaneous metastasis and nonspecific like paraneoplatic disorders and genodermatosis. They are protean but uncommon and usually appear during advanced stage of underlying malignancy. Sometimes they are presenting sign of an occult malignancy or represent recurrence of malignant process at first. The detection of this presentation is of utmost important for both clinician and patient.
Objective: To determine the frequency of dermatological manifestations of GIT malignancies.
Material and Methods: 140 patients of proven GIT malignancies were enrolled over a period of one year. Detailed history was taken, further head to toe examination of skin, hair, nails and mucosae were done. Procedures like skin biopsy, KOH examination, tzanck smear examination and imaging investigations were performed as per need to confirm our clinical diagnosis.
Results: Out of 140 patients, 5(3.6%) patients developed rare paraneoplastic manifestations in the form of Bazex syndrome, PPP (Pancreatitis panniculitis polyarthritis) syndrome and acquired palmoplantar keratoderma. 3(2.1%) patients had metastasis to skin. One (0.7%) patient of Neurofibromatosis had adenocarcinoma of stomach. Other non-specific mucocutaneous manifestations were found in 71(50.7%) patients.
Conclusion: It is emphasized that metastasis, genodermatosis and paraneoplastic dermatosis are very rare but detectable cutaneous manifestations of GIT malignancies. They may act as first sign to diagnose an asymptomatic underlying malignancy. Through high clinical suspicion and active diagnostic workup, a dermatologist/clinician can improve the patient’s prognosis by early detection and timely referral for treatment in such cases.
Keywords: skin manifestations, GIT malignancies, metastasis, paraneoplastic syndromes.
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