REVIEW   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2017 October;152(5):489-99

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-0488.17.05719-4

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Skin signs of systemic infections and neoplastic diseases

Karen L. MANUELYAN ¹, Ivan A. BOGDANOV ², Razvigor B. DARLENSKI ^{1, 2} ✉

¹ Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Prof. Dr. Stoyan Kirkovich University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; ² Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tokuda Hospital, Acibadem City Clinic, Sofia, Bulgaria

In recent years, emphasis on the physical examination has made way for a plethora of laboratory tests and sophisticated imaging diagnostic techniques. In addition, we are witnessing an underestimation of dermatology as a specialty around the world, which is accepted as an ambulatory specialty on the border of cosmetology and beautification. However, recognizing specific cutaneous clinical signs can facilitate timely diagnosis of various systemic infections and neoplastic diseases. Thus, a skilled dermatologist can play an essential role in the multidisciplinary team, involved in the care for systemically ill patients. In this article, we will focus on some life threatening systemic infections in which the skin changes can be a major clue for the diagnosis. Recent deadly epidemics will also be focused. Classic examples of paraneoplastic skin conditions will also be provided.

KEY WORDS: Meningococcal infections - Ebola hemorrhagic fever - Zika virus infection - Hand, foot and mouth disease - Acanthosis nigricans - Necrolytic migratory erythema