Cutaneous tuberculosis and squamous-cell carcinoma.

The incidence of all forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, including lupus vulgaris (the most common form) decreased progressively in developed countries during the twentieth century, this change being attributed to improved living standards and specific therapy. Despite the decrease in cutaneous tuberculosis, some cases are still found and correct diagnosis and management are fundamental, both for the patients and for public health. Long lasting, misdiagnosed or untreated cutaneous tuberculosis may lead to different forms of cancer. This case report involves a 74-year old male farmer with lupus vulgaris on his face. During anti-tuberculosis treatment he developed a tumor on his forehead, which was histologically confirmed as a squamous cell carcinoma.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Bazex syndrome).

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica of Bazex is rare condition, characterized with scaly hyperkeratotic psoriasiform plaques on acral parts of body (helices, nose, and malar and acral surfaces), and in later stages propagation to the limbs and trunk.This syndrome is distinct marker for different neoplastic conditions, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract with possible cervical lymph node metastases.In this paper we present 56 years old male patient, with hyperkeratotic plaques on the skin of his palms, soles, ear lobes and apex of the nose. Detailed examination found tumorous swelling on the left side of his neck. Histopathologic examination revealed solid anaplastic metastatic tumor. Patient died before primary tumor could be found. Bazex syndrome can appear before the diagnosis of internal malignancies, and thus is important for dermatologists to recognize it in favor of early diagnosis of specific malignant process.

Cutaneous tuberculosis and squamous-cell carcinoma / Tuberculose cutânea e carcinoma de células escamosas

The incidence of all forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, including lupus vulgaris (the most common form) decreased progressively in developed countries during the twentieth century, this change being attributed to improved living standards and specific therapy. Despite the decrease in cutaneous tuberculosis, some cases are still found and correct diagnosis and management are fundamental, both for the patients and for public health. Long lasting, misdiagnosed or untreated cutaneous tuberculosis may lead to different forms of cancer. This case report involves a 74-year old male farmer with lupus vulgaris on his face. During anti-tuberculosis treatment he developed a tumor on his forehead, which was histologically confirmed as a squamous cell carcinoma.

A incidência de todas as formas de tuberculose cutânea, incluindo o lúpus vulgar (a forma mais comum) diminuiu progressivamente nos países desenvolvidos durante o século XX e esta mudança foi atribuída a melhores condições de vida e uso de terapia específica. Apesar da diminuição da TBC cutânea, alguns casos ainda são detectados hoje em dia e o diagnóstico acurado e o tratamento apropriado são fundamentais para os doentes e a saúde pública. A TBC cutânea quando prolongada, diagnosticada erroneamente ou não tratada pode levar a diferentes neoplasias. Este é o relato de um caso de lúpus vulgar na pele do rosto de uma paciente do sexo masculino, agricultor, de 74 anos de idade. Durante a terapia antituberculosa ele desenvolveu um tumor na pele da testa, histologicamente confirmado como carcinoma de células escamosas.