Concomitant manifestation of pyoderma gangrenosum and colorectal carcinoma

Paraneoplastic pyoderma gangrenosum associated with adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid junction: a case report

Introduction

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, idiopathic, inflammatory, neutrophilic dermatitis characterized by sterile skin ulceration. It can be associated with an underlying pathology, especially inflammatory bowel disease and hematological malignancies. Its association with a malignant pathology in the context of a paraneoplastic syndrome is more commonly described in hematological malignancies, with solid tumors being rare.

Case report

We report a case of a 39-year-old West African man with pyoderma gangrenosum that developed 6 months before the clinical expression of rectosigmoid junction cancer. The removal of the cancer resulted in the patient’s recovery.

Conclusion

Recurrent pyoderma gangrenosum lesions may be the expression of colonic adenocarcinoma in paraneoplastic syndrome and require colonoscopy, especially in at-risk patients.

Paraneoplastic Pyoderma Gangrenosum Associated with Rectal Adenocarcinoma

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare chronic neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful necrotic ulceration. The most common diseases associated with PG are inflammatory bowel disease, certain rheumatologic and hematologic diseases, and malignancy. Here, we describe the case of a 60-year-old man who presented with pruritic and painful erythematous ulcerative macules and patches on both lower extremities, and was diagnosed with PG based on his clinical and histologic features. His PG became exacerbated despite standard therapy with a high-dose systemic steroid in combination with dapsone and cyclosporine. Systemic evaluation of underlying conditions revealed rectal adenocarcinoma at the rectosigmoid junction (T3N0M0), which was completely removed via Hartmann's procedure followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Two months after anticancer therapy, his PG was completely healed with hypertrophic scarring. Herein, we present the first case of paraneoplastic PG caused by rectal adenocarcinoma in Korea.

Cutaneous paraneoplastic disorders in stomach cancer: Collaboration between oncologically active dermatologists and clinical oncologists

To our knowledge this is the first systemic review that provides an overview of the cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes (CPS) (i.e., clinical manifestations, pathomechanisms, and treatment modalities) occurring in stomach cancer. CPS are caused by substances produced by stomach cancer and may precede, coincide with, or follow the diagnosis of this malignancy. More than 20 possible CPS in association with stomach cancer have been identified. CPS mostly compromises the patient's quality of life by skin impairment plus discomfort and are often associated with a dismal prognosis on survival. Studies of these CPS not only in stomach cancer have partially contributed to the understanding of pathomechanism and since CPS may be the presenting sign of an occult cancer, cognizance of their features and clinical implications are of considerable importance. Patients with these syndromes should have an appropriate work-up for a possibly occult malignancy with consecutive successful early treatment.

A favourable response to surgical intervention and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterised with ulcerations. Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and haematologic diseases (leukaemia, preleukaemia and monoclonal gammopathy) have been reported in about 40-50% of PG patients in whom the treatment of the underlying disease is important for the improvement of the lesions. We herein report a colorectal adenocarcinoma patient with PG, who responded partially to topical treatments and systemic immunosuppressants and healed completely with the aid of surgical wound repair and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.