BACKGROUND: Skin metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is quite uncommon. Especially, the inflammatory type of skin metastasis with features of carcinoma erysipeloid is a rare event. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man with bladder carcinoma who underwent radical cystectomy developed 6 months later red to violaceous papules, indurated plaques and edema in the perigenital area. The initial presumptive diagnosis was irritative contact dermatitis and cellulitis. Histologic examination of a skin biopsy disclosed dilated lymphatic vessels filled with neoplastic cells resembling transitional cells. COMMENT: Although carcinoma erypeloid is most commonly caused by breast carcinoma, it has also been linked to other carcinomas. Dermal lymphatic involvement is an essential feature shared by cases of inflammatory carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinoma erysipeloid may be caused by bladder carcinoma. Skin metastases are generally present in the late stages of this disease and indicate a poor outcome.
BACKGROUND: Skin metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is quite uncommon. Especially, the inflammatory type of skin metastasis with features of carcinoma erysipeloid is a rare event. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man with bladder carcinoma who underwent radical cystectomy developed 6 months later red to violaceous papules, indurated plaques and edema in the perigenital area. The initial presumptive diagnosis was irritative contact dermatitis and cellulitis. Histologic examination of a skin biopsy disclosed dilated lymphatic vessels filled with neoplastic cells resembling transitional cells. COMMENT: Although carcinoma erypeloid is most commonly caused by breast carcinoma, it has also been linked to other carcinomas. Dermal lymphatic involvement is an essential feature shared by cases of inflammatory carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:Carcinoma erysipeloid may be caused by bladder carcinoma. Skin metastases are generally present in the late stages of this disease and indicate a poor outcome.