Cutaneous Metastasis from Lung Cancer: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis

Background: Lung cancer is responsible for substantial proportions of cutaneous metastasis from internal malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis in Korean lung cancer patients. Methods: On a retrospective basis, we analyzed medical records of all patients diagnosed with lung cancer from 2000 to 2006. Results: Cutaneous metastases were found in 10 of 4,385 patients. The number of cases was highest for squamous cell carcinoma. However, there was no metastasis from 754 cases of small cell carcinomas. Cutaneous metastasis was detected during staging work-up in 4 patients and it was the presenting sign of recurrence post-operative in 2 patients. Average time from the diagnosis to discovery of cutaneous metastasis was 16.3 months and median survival was 8.5 months (range, 1.8+/-19.1 months). Conclusion: Physicians should be acquainted with clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis from lung cancer to detect new, recurrent cancer, or disease progression, and to administer appropriate and prompt management.