Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster

The cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer is rare, and most commonly manifests as nodules or masses. In the case of our patient, a rarely described vesiculomaculopapular rash resembling herpes zoster was observed and treated as such; however, biopsy later revealed metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma. M...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth Swezey, Rodrigo Blake, Sarah Alamprese, Teresa Luong, Lambros D.G. Angus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-05-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1841_22
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author Elizabeth Swezey
Rodrigo Blake
Sarah Alamprese
Teresa Luong
Lambros D.G. Angus
author_facet Elizabeth Swezey
Rodrigo Blake
Sarah Alamprese
Teresa Luong
Lambros D.G. Angus
author_sort Elizabeth Swezey
collection DOAJ
description The cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer is rare, and most commonly manifests as nodules or masses. In the case of our patient, a rarely described vesiculomaculopapular rash resembling herpes zoster was observed and treated as such; however, biopsy later revealed metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma. Metastasis of colon cancer to the skin typically confers a poor prognosis, however, early identification may allow for quicker intervention and more aggressive treatments, that may extend survival. Given the immunocompromised state of cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy, a herpes zoster eruption would not be unexpected, but an astute primary care provider should keep metastatic disease in their differential.
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issn 2249-4863
2278-7135
language English
publishDate 2023-05-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
spelling doaj-art-85ca0d4e55d54c82a48648dda068bc462025-08-20T02:13:43ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632278-71352023-05-011251003100510.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1841_22Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zosterElizabeth SwezeyRodrigo BlakeSarah AlampreseTeresa LuongLambros D.G. AngusThe cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer is rare, and most commonly manifests as nodules or masses. In the case of our patient, a rarely described vesiculomaculopapular rash resembling herpes zoster was observed and treated as such; however, biopsy later revealed metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma. Metastasis of colon cancer to the skin typically confers a poor prognosis, however, early identification may allow for quicker intervention and more aggressive treatments, that may extend survival. Given the immunocompromised state of cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy, a herpes zoster eruption would not be unexpected, but an astute primary care provider should keep metastatic disease in their differential.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1841_22adenocarcinomacolon cancercutaneous metastasisherpes zosterkoebner phenomenonstage iv colon cancerzosteriform lesion
spellingShingle Elizabeth Swezey
Rodrigo Blake
Sarah Alamprese
Teresa Luong
Lambros D.G. Angus
Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
adenocarcinoma
colon cancer
cutaneous metastasis
herpes zoster
koebner phenomenon
stage iv colon cancer
zosteriform lesion
title Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
title_full Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
title_fullStr Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
title_full_unstemmed Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
title_short Rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
title_sort rare presentation of the cutaneous metastasis of colon cancer imitating herpes zoster
topic adenocarcinoma
colon cancer
cutaneous metastasis
herpes zoster
koebner phenomenon
stage iv colon cancer
zosteriform lesion
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1841_22
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AT sarahalamprese rarepresentationofthecutaneousmetastasisofcoloncancerimitatingherpeszoster
AT teresaluong rarepresentationofthecutaneousmetastasisofcoloncancerimitatingherpeszoster
AT lambrosdgangus rarepresentationofthecutaneousmetastasisofcoloncancerimitatingherpeszoster