Cutaneous metastasis of rectal carcinoma: a rare phenomenon with poor prognosis

Abstract

Cutaneous metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is an uncommon clinical finding. It typically signifies widespread disseminated disease and is associated with a very poor prognosis. A 75-year-old male presented with multiple, progressively increasing, painful genital lesions. His history was significant for rectal adenocarcinoma. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple tender, erythematous, and skin-colored papules and nodules on the scrotum and perineal area. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma with dermal infiltration of atypical cells arranged in a glandular pattern. This case highlights the importance of considering metastatic disease in any patient with a history of malignancy who presents with new cutaneous lesions. Such metastases often appear years after the primary diagnosis and indicate disease progression, necessitating a thorough evaluation and a shift to palliative management strategies.