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Paraneoplastic Dermatoses and Related Conditions

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Dermato-Oncology Study Guide

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Abstract

In this chapter, we describe cutaneous presenting signs of internal neoplasms independent of direct tumor, mass, or metastasis effect. Paraneoplastic syndromes occur in upwards of 15% of cancer patients, and skin is the second most commonly targeted organ system. Paraneoplastic dermatoses vary considerably in their prevalence and strength of association with characteristic underlying malignancy. Division of dermatoses suspected as paraneoplastic into obligate (nearly always signaling a neoplasm) and facultative (neoplasms present in a significant minority of cases) provides a useful scaffold for organizing further diagnostic considerations. For those obligate paraneoplastic dermatoses, the onus is on the clinician to exclude without doubt the very characteristic neoplasm. For relatively common dermatoses, recognition of a facultative paraneoplastic process rests on astute observation of atypical onset, distribution, or select associated signs and symptoms.

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Abbreviations

AN:

Acanthosis nigricans

ANM:

Acanthosis nigricans maligna

BMZ:

Basement membrane zone

DIF:

Direct immunofluorescence

EAC:

Erythema annulare centrifugum

EBRT:

Electron beam radiation therapy

ECP:

Extracorporeal photopheresis

EGFR:

Epidermal growth factor receptor

EGR:

Erythema gyratum repens

EM:

Erythema multiforme

GVHD:

Graft versus host disease

HLA:

Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita

IIF:

Indirect immunofluorescence

IVIg:

Intravenous immune globulin

LM:

Lichen myxedematosus

MDS:

Myelodysplastic syndrome

MEN1:

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

MGUS:

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

MM:

Multiple myeloma

MTX:

Methotrexate

NET:

Neuroendocrine tumor

NHL:

Non-hodgkin lymphoma

NME:

Necrolytic migratory erythema

NSF:

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

NXG:

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma

PCT:

Porphyria cutanea tarda

PG:

Pyoderma gangrenosum

pHTN:

Pulmonary hypertension

PND:

Paraneoplastic dermatosis

PRP:

Pityriasis rubra pilaris

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

SLE:

Systemic lupus erythematosus

SPEP:

Serum protein electrophoresis

TEN:

Toxic epidermal necrolysis

UPEP:

Urine protein electrophoresis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital—South, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Martin Dittmer

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa, IA, USA

    Vincent Liu

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  1. Martin Dittmer
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  2. Vincent Liu
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  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa, IA, USA

    Vincent Liu

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Dittmer, M., Liu, V. (2021). Paraneoplastic Dermatoses and Related Conditions. In: Liu, V. (eds) Dermato-Oncology Study Guide. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53437-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53437-0_2

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