Cutaneous metastasis of unknown primary presenting as massive and invasive abdominal lesion: an elective approach with electrochemotherapy

An Bras Dermatol. 2015 Nov-Dec;90(6):879-82. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153793.

Abstract

We describe herein what is to our knowledge the first reported case of an invasive cutaneous metastasis with unknown primary, electively treated solely with electrochemotherapy. We describe a female patient with a large, invasive and painful lesion in her hypogastric region, extending up to the pubic area. The cutaneous biopsy and instrumental and laboratory analyses, all failed to reveal the primary site. A final diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis with unknown primary was made and treatment was performed with electrochemotherapy. Our case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary choices in clinical practice to cope with the lack of a primary site and to improve quality of life, since no standardized therapy exists for these classes of patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Biopsy
  • Electrochemotherapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary
  • Treatment Outcome