Malignant acanthosis nigricans: potential role of chemotherapy

Acanthosis nigricans is an uncommon skin condition characterized by hyperke ratosis and skin hyperpigmentation. Most causes are benign, but it may also be associated with gastrointestinal and other malignancies. When associate d with malignant disease, the skin pathology may be more severe and treatme nt often unsuccessful. We describe a 66-year-old man with acanthosis nigric ans associated with carcinoma of the stomach, with distressing generalized cutaneous, perioral and perineal disease, whose skin condition resolved com pletely with combination chemotherapy: In patients with malignant acanthosi s, chemotherapy may relieve many of the distressing cutaneous symptoms. A c lose liaison between gastroenterologists, dermatologists and oncologists is required.