Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
9-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
9-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION: Seborrheic keratoses (SK) is considered the most common benign skin lesions found in individuals that are middle aged and older. In dermatology practice, these lesions pose no threat to the individual but can be concerning for cosmetic and underlying malignancy reasons when they cover most of the skin surface. Of specific concern is the sign of Leser-Trélat, which has been documented as a cutaneous harbinger of underlying malignancy associated with proliferation of the size and/or number seborrheic keratoses. This rare sign is usually caused by malignancies such as gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma and lung, kidney, liver, pancreatic cancer or malignant melanoma. This case report will describe the histology of the skin lesions in Lesar-Trélat and analyze the current literature regarding its association with breast cancer, which is quite rare.
RESOURCES: For this case study, a cadaver from the body donor program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), South Georgia, was studied. Skin samples were sent to Colquitt Regional Center for processing, where sections were embedded in paraffin and were stained with H&E stain. A pathologist reported histopathological findings of the skin lesions and the breast tissue samples.
DESCRIPTION: Multiple SK lesions covering the face, abdomen, back, as well as both upper and lower extremities were observed in one of the cadavers in the gross anatomy laboratory. Due to the significant number of pigmented, verrucous lesions, the sign of Leser-Trélat was clinically postulated, later confirmed during routine laboratory dissection of the breast tissue. Histology sections confirmed not only multiple SK lesions in the skin, but also revealed an associated breast cancer in the form of an infiltrative ductal carcinoma.
SIGNIFICANCE: The sign of Leser-Trélat is rare by itself and its association with breast cancer is even more uncommon. Once a clinician recognizes the multiple SK eruptions, the patient should be meticulously investigated for an underlying GI malignancy and other cancers like breast cancer. Biopsy and histology diagnosis is crucial for ruling out both cutaneous as well as underlying visceral malignancies; and should be encouraged when patients present in clinic rather than assuming the seborrheic keratosis is benign.
Embargo Period
1-9-2024
Included in
Cadaveric Study: Sign of Leser-Trélat Associated with Breast Cancer
Moultrie, GA
INTRODUCTION: Seborrheic keratoses (SK) is considered the most common benign skin lesions found in individuals that are middle aged and older. In dermatology practice, these lesions pose no threat to the individual but can be concerning for cosmetic and underlying malignancy reasons when they cover most of the skin surface. Of specific concern is the sign of Leser-Trélat, which has been documented as a cutaneous harbinger of underlying malignancy associated with proliferation of the size and/or number seborrheic keratoses. This rare sign is usually caused by malignancies such as gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma and lung, kidney, liver, pancreatic cancer or malignant melanoma. This case report will describe the histology of the skin lesions in Lesar-Trélat and analyze the current literature regarding its association with breast cancer, which is quite rare.
RESOURCES: For this case study, a cadaver from the body donor program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), South Georgia, was studied. Skin samples were sent to Colquitt Regional Center for processing, where sections were embedded in paraffin and were stained with H&E stain. A pathologist reported histopathological findings of the skin lesions and the breast tissue samples.
DESCRIPTION: Multiple SK lesions covering the face, abdomen, back, as well as both upper and lower extremities were observed in one of the cadavers in the gross anatomy laboratory. Due to the significant number of pigmented, verrucous lesions, the sign of Leser-Trélat was clinically postulated, later confirmed during routine laboratory dissection of the breast tissue. Histology sections confirmed not only multiple SK lesions in the skin, but also revealed an associated breast cancer in the form of an infiltrative ductal carcinoma.
SIGNIFICANCE: The sign of Leser-Trélat is rare by itself and its association with breast cancer is even more uncommon. Once a clinician recognizes the multiple SK eruptions, the patient should be meticulously investigated for an underlying GI malignancy and other cancers like breast cancer. Biopsy and histology diagnosis is crucial for ruling out both cutaneous as well as underlying visceral malignancies; and should be encouraged when patients present in clinic rather than assuming the seborrheic keratosis is benign.