Carcinoid Syndrome With Angioedema and Urticaria

Leonine Facies, Flushing, and Systemic Symptoms

“…A specific variant of scleroderma affecting predominantly the lower extremities has also been described in carcinoid syndrome . Other less frequent skin findings include cutaneous metastasis, angioedema, pachydermoperiostosis, gangrenous pyoderma, erythema annulare centrifugum, or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus …”

“…The incidence of carcinoid tumors is approximately 1.5 per 100 000 population. 1,2 However, for carcinoid syndrome to develop, neuroendocrine substances must avoid liver metabolism and escape to systemic circulation, 3,4 which only happens in about 10% of patients. 1,2 In the present case, the cause of the carcinoid syn-drome was the metastatic involvement of the liver, but it can also occur secondary to extra-abdominal tumors or due to an excessive production of mediators by large or multiple intra-abdominal tumors.…”

“…1,5 Other less frequent skin findings include cutaneous metastasis, angioedema, pachydermoperiostosis, gangrenous pyoderma, erythema annulare centrifugum, or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. 1,3,5 Symptomatic medications are recommended (eg, antihistamines, corticosteroids, niacin), but treatment should be provided for the underlying disease. Surgical treatment is indicated when possible, but most cases are not susceptible owing to the presence of advanced metastatic disease.…”

Urticaria as initial finding of a patient with carcinoid tumor

“…There are only a few reported cases of urticaria or angioedema associated with carcinoid tumors [ 4 , 18 ]. The case reported here is particularly interesting because the tumors were located in the foregut.…”

Chronic Urticaria Resolving after Resection of Mucinous Breast Cancer

“…An association between different types of lung cancer and urticaria is well known [6]. Other cancers reported to be associated with chronic urticaria include leukaemia, lymphoma [7], papillary thyroid cancers [8], ovarian cancer [9], brain tumour [10], colorectal carcinoma and carcinoid syndrome with liver metastases [11].…”