Skin changes may be the first sign of an internal problem including a visceral malignancy. Signs of skin disease may precede, occur with, or follow the detection of associated cancer. These skin diseases can be a feature of undiagnosed cancer and may be the prompt for a thorough examination in patients. Or in a patient whose cancer is in remission, these skin diseases may be the initial sign of cancer recurring.
Cutaneous markers can be classified into 2 major types:
Genetic diseases which carry an increased risk of internal malignancy and skin signs as part of the syndrome include:
Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes can be categorised according to the type of lesion they produce.
Papulosquamous
Erythematous
Bullous
Miscellaneous
As well as cutaneous signs and symptoms, paraneoplastic syndromes may affect endocrine, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, haematological, gastrointestinal, or renal function.
Paraneoplastic symptoms and signs may be caused by:
