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Cedirian S, Rapparini L, Sechi A, Piraccini BM, Starace M. Diagnosis and Management of Scalp Metastases: A Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1638. [PMID: 39125514 PMCID: PMC11311314 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14151638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Scalp metastases (SMs) are particularly noteworthy, representing around 4-7% of cutaneous neoplasms in this region of the body, possibly due to its rich blood supply. Diagnosis of SMs involves a systematic approach encompassing oncologic history, clinical examination, dermoscopy, imaging, and histopathological assessment. Clinical presentations of SM can vary, but dermoscopy reveals unique vascular patterns aiding in diagnosis. Imaging, particularly MRI and CT, and histopathological evaluation are mandatory for definitive diagnosis. Treatment strategies vary depending on tumor characteristics and staging, ranging from surgical excision to systemic therapies like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Multimodal approaches tailored to individual cases yield optimal outcomes. The diagnostic tools available do not always allow SMs to be diagnosed, and often the lack of knowledge on the part of oncologists in suspecting SMs can delay an early diagnosis. This review provides clinicians with a practical guide for the timely diagnosis and management of SM, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and personalized treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephano Cedirian
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.C.); (B.M.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Rapparini
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.C.); (B.M.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Sechi
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Bianca Maria Piraccini
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.C.); (B.M.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Starace
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.C.); (B.M.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Molasy B, Zemła P, Kuśnierz K. Skin Metastases of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors - Literature Review. POLISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY 2022; 94:60-65. [PMID: 36169582 DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.7958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
<b> Introduction:</b> Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms arise from cells of the diffuse endocrine system (DES) located in the digestive tract. They are often diagnosed in an advanced stage, when distant metastases appear. Skin metastases of neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare. </br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to collect and analyze cases of skin metastases of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms. </br></br> <b>Materials and methods:</b> A literature search across PubMed and Medline databases from 1969 up to 2021 was performed. We reviewed English literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The following keywords were used: "neuroendocrine tumor", "neuroendocrine neoplasm", "neuroendocrine carcinoma", "NET", "NEN", "skin and cutaneous metastases", "lymph nodes". The characteristics of patients, grading, tumor localization and other data that was found in publications were assessed. Case reports and case series were included. </br></br> <b>Results:</b> The initial search strategy yielded 14 results in PubMed and 3 in the Medline database. We removed duplicates after we imported the citations with a citation manager. We found 17 publications concerning skin metastases of neuroendocrine neoplasms. The analysis of 18 cases concerned 13 NECs and 5 NETs. In most cases, the metastases are small, painless and located on the scalp or lower extremities. Skin metastases may be the first symptom of the disease. The pancreas is the most common primary tumor site.</br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> NEN metastases to the skin are often diagnosed with disseminated neoplastic process, which is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. NET metastases to the skin may occur with an unknown primary site. Skin metastases of neuroendocrine tumors should be considered during the diagnosis of skin tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Molasy
- Students' Scientific Society of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Department of General Surgery, St Alexander Hospital, Kielce, Poland
| | - Patryk Zemła
- Students' Scientific Society of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kuśnierz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Ciliberti MP, Carbonara R, Grillo A, Leo AM, Lolli I, Ostuni C, Troiani L, Turi B, Vallarelli S, Sardaro A. Unexpected response to palliative radiotherapy for subcutaneous metastases of an advanced small cell pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report of two different radiation schedules. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:311. [PMID: 32293342 PMCID: PMC7161181 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-06845-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Skin metastases from pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC) are rare and their palliative treatment is challenging. We report our experience in the multimodal management of one of the few reported cases of metastatic PNEC with multiple visceral and subcutaneous secondary lesions, focusing on the effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy for skin metastases. Case presentation A 61-years old woman affected by a metastatic PNEC – with subcutaneous growing and bleeding secondary lesions (at the scalp, right scapular region and at the back of the left thoracic wall, respectively) – obtained a successful control of visceral metastases with the use of chemotherapy and an unexpected local response of her skin metastases with palliative radiotherapy. In particular, two subsequent radiation treatments were performed using different fractionation schedules (30 Gy in 10 fractions and 20 Gy in 5 fractions, respectively). Both radiation treatments were well-tolerated and patient’s quality of life was improved. Local response was maintained until patient’s death – that occurred due to cachexia. Conclusions The presented case highlights the effectiveness and the good tolerance of radiotherapy in the treatment of subcutaneous metastases; nevertheless, further knowledge of the optimal local palliative approach for PNEC metastatic sites is necessary. The experience gained in this work is the occasion to encourage a routine integrated multidisciplinary team management of metastatic PNECs because of their clinical complexity. The aim is to guarantee the optimization of the care with personalized and more effective systemic and local treatments – also including supportive cares and treatment-related side effects management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Ciliberti
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Carbonara
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonietta Grillo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Leo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ivan Lolli
- Department of Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio De Bellis", Research Hospital, Via Turi, 27 Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmela Ostuni
- Department of Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio De Bellis", Research Hospital, Via Turi, 27 Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Troiani
- Department of Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio De Bellis", Research Hospital, Via Turi, 27 Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Barbara Turi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Vallarelli
- Department of Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio De Bellis", Research Hospital, Via Turi, 27 Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Sardaro
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", P.zza Giulio Cesare nr.11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Paolino G, Pampena R, Grassi S, Mercuri SR, Cardone M, Corsetti P, Moliterni E, Muscianese M, Rossi A, Frascione P, Longo C. Alopecia neoplastica as a sign of visceral malignancies: a systematic review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33:1020-1028. [PMID: 30767283 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia neoplastica (AN) from visceral tumours is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis in which internal malignancies spread to the scalp. The diagnosis of AN may be very challenging, especially when its onset precedes the diagnosis of the primary tumour. We aimed to improve the knowledge on AN, highlighting that in case of scarring localized alopecia, a differential diagnosis with metastasis should always be considered. We performed a systematic review to describe the main demographic and clinical features associated with AN from visceral malignancies; a survival analysis was also performed. In 118 reports, accounting for 123 patients, we found that women were more affected by AN than men (53.7% vs. 46.3%). The most frequent site of the primary tumour was the gastrointestinal tract (24.4%), followed by breast (17.9%), kidney (8.1%), lung (7.3%), thyroid (7.3%), uterus (6.5%), central nervous system (6.5%), liver (3.3%) and other anatomic areas for 18.7% of cases. Furthermore, in more than half of the cases (66.1%), AN lesions were single and were mainly diagnosed after the primary visceral tumour (71.5%). Finally, survival analysis highlighted a lower progression-free survival in men; while, no significant differences in overall survival were reported among genders. In conclusion, metastatic skin disease should always be taken into consideration when dealing with patients with localized scarring alopecia.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Paolino
- Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R Pampena
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - S Grassi
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S R Mercuri
- Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - M Cardone
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P Corsetti
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Moliterni
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Muscianese
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Rossi
- Department of Dermatology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P Frascione
- Department of Oncological and Preventative Dermatological, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Longo
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Amorim GM, Quintella D, Cuzzi T, Rodrigues R, Ramos-E-Silva M. Cutaneous Metastasis of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma with Unknown Primary Site: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Case Rep Dermatol 2015; 7:263-74. [PMID: 26557073 PMCID: PMC4637521 DOI: 10.1159/000440661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a new case of neuroendocrine carcinoma for which it was not possible to find the primary site until now. The recent medical literature about skin metastasis of neuroendocrine carcinoma (neuroendocrine tumor) is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Moreira Amorim
- Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle Quintella
- Sector of Pathology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tullia Cuzzi
- Sector of Pathology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Rodrigues
- Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Ramos-E-Silva
- Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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