A rash refractory to treatment
BMJ 2020; 369 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1703 (Published 30 April 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;369:m1703
- Mark Eisner, LAS dermatology,
- Elizabeth West, consultant dermatologist
- Correspondence to M Eisner mark.eisner{at}liverpoolft.nhs.uk
This (fig 1) is carcinoma erysipeloides (cutaneous metastatic breast cancer), of a woman in her 70s. She presented with an eight month history of evolving asymptomatic rash on her trunk and left arm.
Both eczema and cellulitis had been suspected before referral but treatment with topical steroid and oral antibiotics was unsuccessful.
She had a history of triple negative left sided breast cancer, which had been treated with mastectomy eight years earlier.
On examination there was an indurated, erythematous plaque that extended over the left trunk, neck, and arm and across the right breast. The diagnosis was confirmed following biopsy. The prognosis is poor and patients usually survive only a few months after diagnosis.1
Footnotes
Next of kin consent obtained.