Zosteriform cutaneous metastases: A case report and brief review of literature

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman presented with painful erythematous, papulo-nodular lesions on the left side of the trunk in a dermatomal distribution of two-weeks duration. She had earlier undergone surgery for breast carcinoma and was receiving palliative chemo-radiotherapy, when seen by us. A diagnosis of zosteriform cutaneous metastases was made and biopsy was done from the representative lesion which showed chords and sheets of malignant cells. Majority of these cases in the past have been misdiagnosed as herpes zoster and were treated with antiviral drugs. Metastatic diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis of zosteriform rash in elderly.

Zosteriform cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma

“…In our case, both the primary tumor (RCC) and clinical presentation (zosteriform pattern) are rare features. [3,4] Our patient did not have a history of previous herpes zoster or surgery in the metastatic tumor site. [4] The exact mechanism of zosteriform metastases is not known.…”

A Rare Case of Zosteriform Cutaneous Metastases from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Hard Palate

“…[4] The most common clinical appearance is that of multiple nodules; less common forms include inflammatory or erysipeloid form, sclerodermoid form, alopecia neoplastica, or bullous form. [5] Zosteriform pattern is a very rare type of cutaneous metastasis, with only few reported cases. [2] Kikuchi et al .…”

A Rare Case of Zosteriform Cutaneous Metastasis from Breast Cancer

“…Skin cancers such as malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma and ovarian and lung carcinoma may also represent with zosteriform cutaneous metastases (11). The zosteriform distribution pattern may be observed in many dermatoses other than herpes zoster infection such as morphea, lichen, pityriasis rubra pilaris, spiradenoma, lentiginous nevus, papillary mucinous, and drug reactions.…”