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Published in: BMC Urology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Case report

Malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with prostate cancer: a case report

Authors: Joanna Kubicka-Wołkowska, Sylwia Dębska-Szmich, Maja Lisik-Habib, Marcin Noweta, Piotr Potemski

Published in: BMC Urology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis of the skin or mucous membranes. Its malignant form is associated with internal neoplasms, especially gastric adenocarcinoma (55–61%). Coexistence with prostate cancer is uncommon. In the paraneoplastic type of this dermatosis, the skin and mucous lesions are characteristically of more sudden onset and more severe than those in the benign form. The efficacy of various treatment strategies remains disappointing.

Case presentation

We here report a case of 66-year-old Caucasian patient with metastatic prostate cancer and a mild form of acanthosis nigricans that preceded the diagnosis of malignancy and resolved with chemotherapy in parallel with the prostate cancer. The dermatosis recurred when the prostate cancer progressed.

Conclusion

Concurrent acanthosis nigricans and prostate cancer is rare, and few such cases have been reported. Anti-tumor therapy occasionally results in regression of this dermatosis. Underlying malignant disease should be suspected in individuals with elderly-onset of acanthosis nigricans.
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Metadata
Title
Malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with prostate cancer: a case report
Authors
Joanna Kubicka-Wołkowska
Sylwia Dębska-Szmich
Maja Lisik-Habib
Marcin Noweta
Piotr Potemski
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Urology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2490
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2490-14-88

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