Skin manifestations of paraneoplastic syndromes

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica, hypertrichosis lanuginosa, erythema gyratum repens, hypertrophic osteoarhtropathy, dermatomyositis and Sweet's syndrome are often -although not always- associated with a malignant tumor. Recognition of any of these potential paraneoplastic skin disorders should lead to a strong suspicion for an occult malignancy and trigger appropriate work-up. In case of negative investigation, a high suspicion level for an occult malignancy must be maintained for years. Paraneoplastic skin manifestations with well known pathophysiological mechanisms related to a tumor, such as cutaneous amyloidosis, melanic pigmentation, vasculitis, carcinoid flushing, hirsutism, gynecomastia and others, can be responsible for signs and symptoms requiring specific therapies. These manifestations ususally follow a course that is clearly related to that of the tumor and can thus serve as surrogates for its evolution. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.