Skin Metastasis from Lung Cancer with Ulcer and the Literature Review

HE Feng-xiao; WANG Lei; QI Hai

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-3429.2016.04.005

Abstract：Objective To discuss characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of skin metastasis from lung cancer. Methods The clinical data of a case of scalp metastasis from lung cancer diagnosed in our department, were discussed and relevant literature was reviewed. Results The 69-year-old female was admitted to the dermatological department of a local hospital for scalp ulcer. Scalp carbuncle was considered and anti-infection treatment was given with, no obvious improvement. A week ago, blood appeared in phlegm, then left lung placeholder was found in chest CT and the patient was transferee to our hospital, and bronchoscope showed abnormal left upper lobe bronchus mucosa ulcer edge and scalp ulcer tissue pathological examination indicated poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, as well as a clinical diagnosis of the left upper lobe as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma ( CT4N3M1, stage Ⅳ) with scalp transfer. The patient gave up treatment. Conclusion Scalp ulcer as the first sign of scalp metastasis small-cell lung cancer is easy to be misdiagnosed and missed di-agnosis. In case that conventional treatment for scalp stealth ulcer in middle-aged and old patients is not effective, the primary malignant tumor or metastasis from other tissues and organs of malignant tumor should be considered. Imaging and pathological examinations are helpful in diagnosis.