Cutaneous Metastases from Thymic Carcinoma Primary Tumor: A Rare Case

Abstract

Eva Krishna Sutedja, Trustia Rizqandaru, Kartika Ruchiatan, Endang Sutedja Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Eva Krishna Sutedja, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Jl. Pasteur 38, Bandung, West Java, 40161, Indonesia, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Cutaneous metastases (CM) are neoplastic lesions of the skin originating from a primary tumor elsewhere. CM originating from primary thymic carcinoma is rare, and its incidence remains uncertain. A case of CM from thymic carcinoma in a 57-year-old man was reported. The patient complained about lumps on the skin of the chest, right shoulder and neck that appeared eleven months before the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma was established. Physical examination revealed tumors on the chest, right shoulder and neck. Histopathological examination results were consistent with CM. An immunohistochemical (IHC) examination was performed to determine the primary tumor, with a positive result for CK7. The diagnosis of thymic carcinoma was established based on the results of enhanced chest CT-scan and immunohistochemistry on lymph node biopsies. The patient was treated with a chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and carboplatin scheduled for six cycles. However, the patient did not survive his third cycle of chemotherapy. Establishing the diagnosis and managing CM are challenging for clinicians. This requires careful historical and physical examination, supported by histopathological examination and specific immunohistochemical marker in accordance with the suspected tumor.Keywords: cutaneous metastases, immunohistochemistry, thymic carcinoma

Keywords

• cutaneous metastases
• immunohistochemistry
• thymic carcinoma