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Leser–Trelat sign in metastasized malignant melanoma

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Abstract

The Leser–Trelat sign is defined as the association of multiple, eruptive seborrheic keratoses with an internal malignancy of a usually advanced stage. We report the case of malignant melanoma in an 82-year-old man covered with hundreds of greyish-dark seborrheic keratoses resembling a Christmas tree pattern, who was diagnosed with metastasized malignant melanoma involving the parotid gland and lymph nodes. Though the pathogenesis of Leser–Trelat sign is still unknown, spontaneous regression of the seborrheic keratoses following tumor reduction described in some cases argues for a paraneoplastic origin of this highly instructive clinical entity. Physicians should consider a workup for internal malignancy in patients presenting with multiple eruptive seborrheic keratoses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Vanessa Siedek

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany

    Theda Schuh & Andreas Wollenberg

Authors
  1. Vanessa Siedek
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  2. Theda Schuh
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  3. Andreas Wollenberg
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Correspondence to Vanessa Siedek.

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Siedek, V., Schuh, T. & Wollenberg, A. Leser–Trelat sign in metastasized malignant melanoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266, 297–299 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0636-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0636-6

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