Gastric carcinoma's primary presentation as multiple cutaneous nodules throughout the body

A Rare Case of Cutaneous Gastric Adenocarcinoma With Signet Ring Cell Features

Cutaneous metastatic disease from primary gastric cancer is quite scarce, often going unrecognized. In this case, the patient presented with an expanding rash that was biopsied, with findings concerning for metastatic adenocarcinoma from a suspected luminal upper gastrointestinal origin. Subsequent biopsies during an esophagogastroduodenoscopy confirmed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features, most likely from an upper gastrointestinal primary (gastric vs gastroesophageal junction). We review this case to help providers identify signet cell type cutaneous metastases of gastric cancer quickly to improve patient outcomes.

Inflammatory cutaneous metastases originating from gastric cancer: A case report

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous metastasis with gastric cancer (GC) origin is extremely rare and associated with poor prognosis. Nodular type is the most common type, while other forms are extremely rare.

CASE SUMMARY

This study describes severe skin redness, swelling, pain, and fever in a 65-year-old man diagnosed with GC, whose left chest wall, left upper limb, and left back were mainly affected. Firstly, the patient was diagnosed with "lymphangitis" and treated to promote lymphatic return. However, the symptoms were constantly deteriorating, and skin thickening and scattered small nodules gradually appeared. Finally, the skin biopsy confirmed cutaneous metastases, and the patient died 7 d later.

CONCLUSION

Our case highlights that cutaneous metastasis should be considered when skin lesions appear in patients with GC.

Edema of limbs as the primary symptom of gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Metastatic skin cancers are relatively rare dermatological malignancies. They usually present as nodules, erythematous lesions, scar-like lesions or other lesion types. Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is an uncommon histological type of gastric cancer that usually behaves aggressively and has a poor prognosis. Skin metastasis may be the first sign of clinically silent visceral cancer or recurrence of an internal malignancy.

CASE SUMMARY

Herein we report on the case of a 55-year-old man with edema of a lower extremity as the primary symptom which progressed from local to generalized pitting edema in the year following skin involvement. Pathological evidence from gastroscopic specimens and subcutaneous tissue biopsy showed typical signet-ring cells and gland-like structures. Consistently, immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive pan-cytokeratin expression in tumor cells. A diagnosis of gastric SRCC with skin metastasis was established. Moreover, lymphoscintigraphy showed an obvious accumulation of radiotracer on the anterior and posterior sides of the right leg which indicated lymphedema. We reviewed the relevant literature on subcutaneous metastases of gastric SRCC.

CONCLUSION

This rare case emphasizes the importance of physical examination as it may help elucidate the etiology of edema.