Management of brain metastasis from eccrine porocarcinoma: illustrative case

J Neurosurg Case Lessons. 2021 Jun 28;1(26):CASE21242. doi: 10.3171/CASE21242.

Abstract

Background: Eccrine porocarcinoma (EP) is a rare malignant skin neoplasm, and there are still many unknowns regarding its natural history and treatment. Due to its scarcity, associated brain metastasis is a far rarer condition.

Observations: A 71-year-old-woman with a history of EP was diagnosed with brain metastasis. In her clinical course, the patient underwent tumor removal surgery twice and Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) four times. The tumor showed a good response to radiotherapy. The histopathological findings of the brain tumor were consistent with those of the primary skin tumor.

Lessons: There are only a few case reports referring to the detailed treatment, especially with GKRS, of brain metastasis from EP. Few reports have presented a detailed histopathological comparison between the primary skin lesion and the metastatic brain lesion. Herein, the authors have described the clinical course, histological features, and results of multidisciplinary treatment for brain metastasis of EP.

Keywords: CK = cytokeratin; EP = eccrine porocarcinoma; GKRS = Gamma Knife radiosurgery; Gamma Knife radiosurgery; IMRT = intensity-modulated radiation therapy; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; WBRT = whole-brain radiotherapy; brain metastasis; eccrine porocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports