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Review
. 2021 Nov 13;13(11):e19538.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.19538. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Immune-Mediated Cutaneous Paraneoplastic Syndromes Associated With Hematologic Malignancies: Skin as a Mirror of Hematologic Neoplasms

Jose C Alvarez-Payares  1 , Angel Molina  1 , Simon Gallo  2 , Julian Ramirez  1 , Juan Hernandez  1 , Fernando Lopez  1 , Sara I Ramirez-Urrea  3 , Cristian Álvarez  4
Affiliations
Review

Immune-Mediated Cutaneous Paraneoplastic Syndromes Associated With Hematologic Malignancies: Skin as a Mirror of Hematologic Neoplasms

Jose C Alvarez-Payares et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms may present as paraneoplastic syndromes with mucocutaneous manifestations, which may or may not be chronologically associated. The pathophysiological mechanism is complex and not completely understood; therefore, definitive diagnosis may be achieved with a precise differential diagnosis based on the morphology of skin lesions, clinical picture, and histological pattern. The complexities, and low frequency, make the therapeutic approach quite challenging; consequently, the cornerstone of therapy is the eradication of the underlying neoplasms. Corticosteroids are the therapy of choice for most of these immune-mediated manifestations, but for the most part, the successful resolution requires the eradication of the underlying malignancy.

Keywords: cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease; hematologic malignancies; hematology disorders; neutrophilic dermatosis; paraneoplastic syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. A. Sweet's syndrome. Infiltrative erythematous and well-defined plaques on the neck, chest, and shoulder in a patient with hairy cell leukemia. B. Pyoderma gangrenosum. Ulcers with bluish, overhanging borders in the abdomen. A central lesion with cribriform appearance. C. Hematologic malignancy-associated eosinophilic dermatosis. Erythematous plaques and papules with generalized vesicles in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma - note cervical lymphadenopathy.
Pictures courtesy of the University of Antioquia Dermatology Service.
Figure 2
Figure 2. A. Paraneoplastic pemphigus. Oral mucositis with diffuse erosion areas involving lip and tongue mucosa in a patient with thymoma. B. Small vessel vasculitis. Palpable purpura with necrotic crusts in both lower limbs. C. Dermatomyositis. Heliotrope erythema and macules in trunk and shoulder (shawl sign).
Pictures courtesy of the University of Antioquia Dermatology Service.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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