[Chronic superficial urticaria associated with solid cancers: Case report and literature review]

Abstract

Background: Chronic urticaria is common and is generally idiopathic ("spontaneous"). Links between solid cancer and chronic urticaria have been mentioned in the literature.

Patients and methods: We report the case of a 63-year-old man presenting with superficial chronic urticaria associated with adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinus. We discuss the possibility of systemic origin in light of the severity of the disease and its resistance to treatment. Only recurrent ethmoidal cancer was highlighted. Curative care resulted in complete resolution of the urticaria without relapse at 32 months of follow-up.

Discussion: In a literature review, we collected 17 cases of superficial chronic urticaria associated with cancer. These cases were marked by synchronous progression and by the inefficacy (86%) of anti-histamines and systemic corticosteroids. Although cases of chronic superficial urticaria associated with cancer remain rare, the condition merits discussion due to its severity and significant resistance to therapy.

Keywords: Carcinome ethmoïdien; Chronic urticaria; Ethmoid Carcinoma; Spontaneous urticaria; Systemic urticaria; Urticaire chronique; Urticaire spontanée; Urticaire systémique.