Scalp metastasis as an initial presentation of lung adenocarcinoma : A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous metastasis from primary visceral malignancy is a relatively uncommon clinical entity, with a reported incidence of 0.22%–10% among various series. However, the presence of cutaneous metastasis as the first sign of a clinically silent visceral cancer is exceedingly rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe here a case of an asymptomatic male patient who presented with a solitary scalp metastasis as the initial manifestation of an underlying lung cancer. Diagnostic evaluation revealed advanced disease. DISCUSSION: The report emphasizes that physicians should be aware of this rare clinical entity, and appropriate investigation should be arranged for early diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate treatment. The occurrence of skin lesions in lung cancer announces an ominous prognosis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the possibility of metastatic skin disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of smoking or lung cancer presenting with cutaneous nodules.