Journal of Medical Case Reports (Jan 2009)

Facial skin metastasis due to small-cell lung cancer: a case report

  • Barbetakis Nikolaos,
  • Samanidis Georgios,
  • Paliouras Dimitrios,
  • Samanidou Elpida,
  • Tzimorota Zoi,
  • Asteriou Christos,
  • Xirou Persefoni,
  • Tsilikas Christodoulos

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-3-32
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 1
p. 32

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Introduction Cutaneous metastases in the facial region occur in less than 0.5% of patients with metastatic cancer. They are an important finding and are not often the first sign leading to diagnosis. Case presentation We describe the case of a 64-year-old male patient who presented with dyspnea, pleuritic pain, loss of weight and a nodule on his left cheek. A chest X-ray revealed a left upper lobe mass with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Excision biopsy of the facial nodule revealed small-cell lung carcinoma. Palliative chemo-radiotherapy was administered and the patient survived for 12 months. Conclusion A high index of suspicion is necessary for the early detection of facial cutaneous metastases. Appropriate treatment may prolong patient survival.