Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in

skin
Deba P Sarma, MD
Omaha
F 59 with left renal mass, lower lip biopsy
 Comment
 Cutaneous metastases from carcinoma are uncommon in
clinical practice.
 Breast, stomach, lung, uterus, large intestine, and kidneys
are the most frequent organs to produce cutaneous
metastases.
 Cancers with the highest propensity to metastasize to the
skin include melanoma (45% of cutaneous metastasis cases)
and breast (30%).
 Cutaneous metastasis signals widespread metastatic
disease, and a poor prognosis.
 Renal cell carcinoma may metastasize to scalp and operative
scars.
 Because of the prominent vascularity of the renal cell
carcinoma, lesions may mimic a hemangioma or a pyogenic
granuloma.

Ref: Sarma DP, Wang JF, McAllister MV, Wang B, Shehan JM.
(2008)
Possible implantation carcinoma of the scalp following craniotomy
for
metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Dermatology Online J 14(6):20.
PMID: 18713600 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]