Cutaneous Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)

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.