A Case of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with Sporadic Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Due to Liver Disorder after Schistosoma japonicum Infection

Abstract

A 56-year-old man suffered from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cutaneous SCC) which occurred on a cutaneous lesion of sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda (sporadic PCT). His liver function decreased from the time he was infected with Schistosoma japonicum at the age of 10. He drank a little alcohol. Erythematous maculae with blisters or erosions occurred on sun-exposed areas of his skin when he was 52. His urine continued to be red. After detailed examinations including liver biopsy, he was diagnosed as having sporadic PCT due to liver disorder after infection with Schistosoma japonicum. At the age of 56, a small red papule arose on his right earlobe at the site of a sporadic PCT lesion. The papule rapidly enlarged with ulceration; this completely destroyed his right earlobe, which was covered with odoriferous yellow-white necrotic tissue. The tumor then extended to his right preauricular area with ulceration. A skin biopsy confirmed well-differentiated cutaneous SCC. The association of cutaneous SCC with sporadic PCT has not been previously reported; we think that the association is significant. Such an occurrence may have been induced by either direct or indirect effects of ultraviolet light or a scar formed by the sporadic PCT.

Parasite Infection, Carcinogenesis and Human Malignancy

“…A matched, case-control study in rural China has indicated that previous infections with S. japonicum were independently associated with both HCC and colon cancer (Qiu et al, 2005), membranous nephropathy, and metastatic lung tumors (Matsuda et al, 1999, Chen, 2014, Sekiguchi et al, 1989). An isolated case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma associated with sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda due to liver functional disorder after S. japonicum infection was reported (Ohtake et al, 1991). Furthermore, a recent case report described a concomitance of S. japonicum infection with rectal carcinoid tumor in an asymptomatic patient from the Philippines (Zanger et al, 2010).…”

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with hemodialysis‐related porphyria cutanea tarda

“…Squamous cell carcinoma has not been a frequently reported occurrence in porphyria patients. There are only two reported cutaneous SCC in the published work; one occurred in a patient with sporadic PCT 14 and the other in association with congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) 15 . The rarity of cutaneous SCC development has been attributed to the elimination of malignant cells by a mechanism like that of in photodynamic therapy 12 .…”

Gastrointestinal Neoplasia Associated with Bowel Parasitosis: Real or Imaginary?

“…In a series of 26 goblet cell carcinoids of the appendix, three were found to also show S. japonicum eggs in the appendiceal wall [36]. A few case reports exist in the literature that also describe S. japonicum ova associated with nongastrointestinal tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the skin [37], malignant schwannoma [38], bronchogenic carcinoma [39], and breast carcinoma [40]. Given the paucity of these reports, it is most likely that these represent extraordinary coincidences rather than evidence of a causative role for the parasite in carcinogenesis.…”