Malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with prostate cancer: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis of the skin or mucous membranes. Its malignant form is associated with internal neoplasms, especially gastric adenocarcinoma (55-61%). Coexistence with prostate cancer is uncommon. In the paraneoplastic type of this dermatosis, the skin and mucous lesions are characteristically of more sudden onset and more severe than those in the benign form. The efficacy of various treatment strategies remains disappointing.

CASE PRESENTATION:

We here report a case of 66-year-old Caucasian patient with metastatic prostate cancer and a mild form of acanthosis nigricans that preceded the diagnosis of malignancy and resolved with chemotherapy in parallel with the prostate cancer. The dermatosis recurred when the prostate cancer progressed.

CONCLUSION:

Concurrent acanthosis nigricans and prostate cancer is rare, and few such cases have been reported. Anti-tumor therapy occasionally results in regression of this dermatosis. Underlying malignant disease should be suspected in individuals with elderly-onset of acanthosis nigricans.

• Authors: Joanna Kubicka-Wołkowska, Sylwia Dębska-Szmich, Maja Lisik-Habib, Marcin Noweta, Piotr Potemski
• Journal: BMC urology (BMC Urol) Vol. 14 Pg. 88 (Nov 15 2014) ISSN: 1471-2490 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25399333 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents

Topics

• Acanthosis Nigricans (complications)
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bone Neoplasms (secondary)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Male
• Prostatic Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Recurrence