Cutaneous Metastasis of
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)
Sridhar P 1, Nihanthy D S 2, Pallad S.R. 3, Naveen T 4 , Khaleel I 5, Govardhan6
1Dr Sridhar P, Assistant Professor, 2Dr Nihanthy D S, Resident, 3Dr
Siddanna R Pallad, Associate Professor, 4Dr Naveen T, Associate
Professor, 5Dr Ibrahim Khaleel, Assistant Professor, 6Dr Govardhan,
Assistant Professor; all authors are affiliated with Dept of Radiation
Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India.
Address for
Correspondence: Dr Nihanthy D S, Resident in Radiation
Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India,
email id: nihanthyds@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction:
Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis.
Patients generally present at an advanced stage. The most predominant
histologically subtype is squamous cell carcinoma comprising about 70%
of cases. The skin is an uncommon site of metastasis, skin metastasis
from esophageal cancer affects less than 1% of the cases. Metastatic
spread to the skin occurs either hematogenously or via the lymphatic
system and a myriad of presentations may be seen. Materials and Methods:
A 30-year-old male, a known case of carcinoma esophagus post concurrent
CT-RT, three months ago, presented to the OPD with complaints of
burning sensation and multiple solid skin nodules, measuring about
1–3 cm in diameter over the left chest, after thorough
evaluation and biopsy of the skin lesion the final diagnosis of
cutaneous metastasis of metastasic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
was established. Planned on palliative RT, pt received an External beam
RT of 30Gy in 10 fractions on 6 MeV electrons at a depth of 3 cm. Result: Patient is
symptom free with complete response of the skin nodules. Conclusion:
Cutaneous metastasis from internal malignancy is uncommon but not rare
and is reported most commonly after the fourth decade of life. Skin
metastasis from upper GI tract is relatively infrequent and esophageal
cancer rarely metastasize cutaneousely, ESCC with diffuse and skin
involvement is an indicator of highly aggressive nature of the disease.
There are very few reported cases and hereby reporting a rare case
treated at our Institution.
Keywords:
ESCC-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma,RT- Radiotherapy,CT-
Chemotherapy,GTV- Gross tumor volume, 3DCRT- Three dimensional
conformal radiotherapy
Manuscript received:
10th August 2016, Reviewed:
20th August 2016
Author Corrected: 4th
September 2016, Accepted
for Publication: 14th September 2016
Introduction
Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive disease with poor prognosis.
Patients generally present with locally advanced disease, which has
already metastasized at the time of initial diagnosis. The most
predominant histologically subtype is squamous cell carcinoma
comprising about 70% of cases [1].
The skin is an uncommon site of metastasis, skin metastasis from
esophageal cancer affect less than 1% of cases [2,3]. Metastatic spread
to the skin occurs either hematogenously or via the lymphatic system
with a myriad of presentations, in the form of rapidly growing papules
or nodules [4,5]. However nodules are the most common form [6,7,8].
Case
report
A 30-year-old male presented with history of dysphagia for solids since
3 months and history of significant weight loss since 2 months.
Oesophageogastroduodenoscopy and computerized tomography showed
lower-thoracic esophageal growth with extension into Gastroesophageal
junction with regional lymph node enlargement rendering the tumor
inoperable. Histology showed features suggestive of squamous cell
carcinoma. No extra-nodal or pulmonary metastases were noticed.
Patient was treated with concurrent CT-RT, received a biological
equivalent dose of 54Gy to the GTV on linac by 3DCRT technique along
with six cycles of concurrent weekly cisplatin (40mg/m2).
Patient was asymptomatic for 3 months, presented to the OPD, with
complaints of burning sensation and multiple skin nodules over the left
anterior chest wall since past two weeks, acute in onset and rapidly
progressing to attain the present size. On examination, multiple
nodules were present on the left anterior chest wall, hard in
consistency, coalesced, largest measuring around 3 cm in diameter.
Excisional Biopsy of the skin lesion showed metastatic squamous cell
carcinoma. CT thorax showed partial response of the primary tumor and
hence we arrived at the final diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of
metastasic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Fig 1:
nodular metastasis before therapy
Disorganised sheets of malignant cells with hyperchromatic pleomorphic
nuclei, increased nucleus/cytoplam ratio, increased mitoses and bizarre
malignant cells consistent with matastatic squamous cell carcinoma
Fig 2:
Post Palliative Radiotherapy
Patient was planned on palliative radiation of 30Gy in 10 fractions on
6 MeV electrons at a depth of 3 cm. Patient is symptom free with
complete response to local palliative therapy.
Discussion
Cutaneous metastasis from internal malignancy is uncommon but not rare.
Their frequency ranges between 0.7% and 10.4% of all patients with
cancer. [9-14]
Cutaneous metastasis can occur anytime in the course of malignancy.
Especially in an extensively metastatic disease, they may also
represent failure of ongoing therapy or recurrence of neoplasm. Every
cancer can cause skin metastases, but some do so more frequently than
others. The most frequent primary nondermatological tumors associated
with skin
Metastases include breast, lung and colorectal cancers. Skin metastasis
from upper GI tract is relatively infrequent [11-16], esophageal cancer
rarely metastasize cutaneousely. Most reported esophageal cancers were
squamous cell carcinoma but there were some case reports of skin
metastases from esophageal adenocarcinoma [17, 18].
Due to the extreme rarity of cutaneous metastasis from esophageal
squamous cell carcinoma, there are only limited data in the literature
regarding their incidence that is less than 1%, prognosis at this stage
is quite poor and average survival with the life expectancy for all
stage IV esophageal carcinoma ranges from 4 to 20 months after
diagnosis [19].
Conclusion
Skin manifestations of Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are
extremely rare and only a small number of cases with solid skin
metastasis have been reported. A case of ESCC with such diffuse and
massive skin metastases, most likely indicating highly aggressive
disease, although metastatic skin cancers often require no more than
symptomatic therapy and tend to respond to systemic chemotherapy, local
treatment like radiotherapy to be considered at this stage
mainly focuses on palliation.
Funding:
Nil, Conflict of
interest: None initiated
Permission from IRB:
Yes
References
1. Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P. Estimating the world cancer
burden: Globocan 2000. Int J Cancer. 2001 Oct 15;94(2):153-6. [PubMed]
2. Hu SC, Chen GS, Wu CS, Chai CY, Chen WT, Lan CC. Rates of cutaneous
metastases from different internal malignancies: experience from a
Taiwanese medical center. J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;60:379-87. [PubMed]
3. Quint LE, Hepburn LM, Francis IR, Whyte RI, Orringer MB. Incidence
and distribution of distant metastases from newly diagnosed esophageal
carcinoma. Cancer. 1995 Oct 1;76(7):1120-5.
4. Lookingbill DP, Spangler N, Helm KF. Cutaneous metastases in
patients with metastatic carcinoma: a retrospective study of 4020
patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993 Aug;29(2 Pt 1):228-36. [PubMed]
5. Schwartz RA. Cutaneous metastatic disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995
Aug;33(2 Pt 1):161-82; quiz 183-6. [PubMed]
6. Stein RH, Spencer JM. Painful cutaneous metastases from esophageal
carcinoma. Cutis. 2002 Oct;70(4):230-2. [PubMed]
7. Fereidooni F, Kovacs K, Azizi MR, Nikoo M. Skin metastasis from an
occult esophageal adenocarcinoma. Can J Gastroenterol. 2005
Nov;19(11):673-6. [PubMed]
8. Park JM, Kim DS, Oh SH, Kwon YS, Lee KH. A case of esophageal
adenocarcinoma metastasized to the scalp. Ann Dermatol. 2009
May;21(2):164-7. doi: 10.5021/ad.2009.21.2.164. Epub 2009 May 31. [PubMed]
9. Spencer PS, Helm TN. Skin metastases in cancer patients. Cutis. 1987
Feb;39(2):119-21. [PubMed]
10. Lookingbill DP, Spangler N, Sexton FM. Skin involvement as the
presenting sign of internal carcinoma. A retrospective study of 7316
cancer patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990; 22(1): 19-26. [PubMed]
11. Lookingbill DP, Spangler N, Helm KF. Cutaneous metastases in
patients with metastatic carcinoma: a retrospective study of 4020
patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993 Aug;29(2 Pt 1):228-36. [PubMed]
12. McWhorter JE, Cloud AW. MALIGNANT TUMORS AND THEIR METASTASES: A
SUMMARY OF THE NECROPSIES ON EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE CASES PERFORMED
AT THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL OF NEW YORK. Ann Surg. 1930 Sep;92(3):434-43.
13. ENTICKNAP JB. An analysis of 1,000 cases of cancer with special
reference to metastasis. Guys Hosp Rep. 1952;101(4):273-9. [PubMed]
14. Schwartz RA. Cutaneous metastatic disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995
Aug;33(2 Pt 1):161-82; quiz 183-6. [PubMed]
15. Sarid D, Wigler N, Gutkin Z, Merimsky O, Leider-Trejo L, Ron IG.
Cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of rectal cancer. Int J Clin
Oncol. 2004 Jun;9(3):202-5. [PubMed]
16. Brownstein MH, Helwig EB. Metastatic tumors of the skin. Cancer.
1972 May;29(5):1298-307. [PubMed]
17. Stein RH, Spencer JM. Painful cutaneous metastases from esophageal
carcinoma. Cutis. 2002 Oct;70(4):230-2. [PubMed]
18. Roh EK, Nord R, Jukic DM. Scalp metastasis from esophageal
adenocarcinoma. Cutis. 2006 Feb;77(2):106-8. [PubMed]
19. Lookingbill DP, Spangler N, Helm KF. Cutaneous metastases in
patients with metastatic carcinoma: a retrospective study of 4020
patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993 Aug;29(2 Pt 1):228-36. [PubMed]
How to cite this article?
Sridhar P, Nihanthy D S, Pallad S.R, Naveen T, Khaleel I, Govardhan.
Cutaneous Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC).Int J
Med Res Rev 2016;4(9):1632-1635.doi:10.17511/ijmrr. 2016.i09.20.