Case report
Leser-Trélat syndrome in patients affected by six multiple metachronous primitive cancers
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* Corresponding author: Giovanni Ponti giovanni.ponti@unimore.it
1 Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
2 Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
3 Division of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2010, 3:2 doi:10.1186/1756-8722-3-2
Published: 11 January 2010Abstract
Leser-Trélat syndrome is characterized by the eruptive appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses in association with underlying malignant disease. Usually, the sign of Leser-Trélat is associated with adenocarcinoma, most frequently of the colon, breast, or stomach, but also of the lung, kidney, liver, and pancreas. Herein, we present a case that we believe is the first report of the sign of Leser-Trélat in association with occult gastric adenocarcinoma and the anamnestic oncologic history of five other multiple primitive cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunohistochemical expression analysis of multiple seborrheic keratoses revealed an intense membranous staining in the basal keratinocytes and in all the upper epidermal layers. Patients with the sign of Leser-Trélat should undergo a diagnostic screening programme for malignant disease along with patients with known Leser-Trélat syndrome who present with a recent acute and florid eruption of their seborrheic keratoses. We propose the importance of combining the molecular features of multiple seborrheic keratoses with EGFR immunohistochemistry analyses to determine the likelihood of Leser-Trélat syndrome and the consequent high risk of underlying multiple visceral malignancies.