Wells syndrome associated with lung cancer

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 25:2017:bcr2017220323. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220323.

Abstract

Wells syndrome (WS) or eosinophilic cellulitis is a rare, idiopathic, inflammatory dermatosis. The typical clinical presentation is urticarial plaque without preferential location that usually heals without scarring. We present a 62-year-old man with history of lung cancer that had undergone a right superior lobectomy 12 months previously. The patient had a relapsing dermatosis beginning about 6 months before the diagnosis of the lung cancer, characterised by pruritic, erythematous plaques located on the trunk and arms. These lesions spontaneously resolved within a few weeks without scarring. A skin biopsy revealed findings compatible with WS. Several diseases have been associated with WS. These include haematological diseases, fungal, parasitic and viral infections, drug reactions and rarely non-haematological malignancies. We present a case of this rare syndrome in a patient with history of lung cancer that we believe acted as a triggering event. To our knowledge, this is the second case reporting this association.

Keywords: dermatology; lung cancer (oncology); medical education.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Biopsy
  • Cellulitis / drug therapy
  • Cellulitis / etiology
  • Cellulitis / pathology*
  • Clobetasol / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia / etiology
  • Eosinophilia / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Loratadine / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Loratadine
  • Clobetasol
  • Tacrolimus

Supplementary concepts

  • Wells syndrome