Renal cell carcinoma presenting as a solitary cutaneous facial metastasis: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma is well known for its frequency to metastasise, particularly to lungs, liver, bones and brain. Metastasis to the skin is much less common. Presentation as a result of the skin lesion is even more unusual, with only 14 previously reported cases in the English literature. The majority of these cases have been reported in patients with recurrent disease or with other metastases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present only the second case of non-recurrent renal cell carcinoma with a solitary cutaneous facial metastasis reported in the English literature. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should conduct a careful inspection of the skin in patients with renal cell carcinoma and also have a high index of suspicion of primary internal organ malignancy in patients presenting with a skin lesion.