Rare Case of Gastric Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Skin Revealed by Researchers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at East Tennessee State University have reported a rare case of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis to the skin, highlighting the importance of urgent biopsy and timely staging in patients with known or suspected malignancy. The case study describes an 80-year-old man with stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma who developed rapidly enlarging nodules on his lower lip and chin. Histologic and immunophenotypic confirmation supported metastatic adenocarcinoma consistent with the patient's known gastric primary. This case underscores the potential for cutaneous dissemination from gastric adenocarcinoma, which generally reflects widespread disease and limited survival.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at East Tennessee State University reported a rare case of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis to the skin in an 80-year-old man with stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma.
  • The patient developed rapidly enlarging nodules on his lower lip and chin, which were diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma through histologic and immunophenotypic confirmation.
  • The case highlights the importance of urgent biopsy and timely staging in patients with known or suspected malignancy.
  • Cutaneous dissemination from gastric adenocarcinoma generally reflects widespread disease and limited survival.
  • The researchers conducted a literature review and reported that cutaneous metastases from visceral malignancies occur in a minority of patients, often masquerading as benign dermatoses.

Statistics:

  • The patient was 80 years old when diagnosed with stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma.
  • The lip excision measured 2.6 x 2.1 cm, and the chin excision 1.2 x 2.2 cm.
  • The lip specimen showed cytoplasmic positivity for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and an elevated Ki-67 proliferation index of 50%.

Sources:

  • Cutaneous Metastasis of Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Report of a Rare Case and a Literature Review, Cureus, 2025;17(9)
  • Daniel Daugherty, Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, United States (Contact: [daniel.daugherty@etsu.edu](mailto:daniel.daugherty@etsu.edu))
  • Kalan Patel, Ashwin Jagadish, Shivani Patel, Dharmen Patel, Amani Al-Housseiny, and Thomas Soike (Authors of the case study)