3 Weird Signs of Colon Cancer (Found on the Skin)
TLDRThis informative video discusses three unusual dermatological signs that may indicate the presence of colon cancer. The first sign, known as the Leser-Trélat sign, is characterized by a sudden and rapid increase in the number and size of seborrheic keratosis lesions, which are often itchy, unlike typical cases. The second sign is malignant acanthosis nigricans, a thickened, hyperpigmented skin lesion commonly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but sometimes linked to colorectal adenocarcinoma. The third sign is acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa, where patients grow fine, unpigmented hair, which can be a rare symptom of an underlying malignancy, including colorectal cancer. While these signs are rare and not fully understood, recognizing them could be crucial for early detection and treatment of colon cancer.
Takeaways
- 😟 Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, is the third to fourth most common type of cancer.
- 👵 Risk factors for colon cancer include older age, a low fiber diet, family history, and history of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.
- 📈 Common symptoms of colon cancer include abdominal pain, changes in stool caliber, and bowel habit changes such as diarrhea or constipation.
- 🌟 Three rare dermatological signs of colon cancer include: the sign of Leser-Trélat, malignant acanthosis nigricans, and acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa.
- 🆘 The sign of Leser-Trélat is characterized by a sudden onset of numerous seborrheic keratosis lesions that are often itchy and rapidly increase in size and number.
- 👨⚕️ Malignant acanthosis nigricans presents as thickened, hyperpigmented skin lesions often found in skin folds and can be associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, but may also indicate colorectal cancer.
- 🧔 Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa is the growth of fine, unpigmented hair (lanugo hair) in areas like eyebrows, forehead, ears, nose, trunk, and extremities, and can be a sign of an underlying malignancy like colorectal cancer.
- ⏱️ Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa, if due to colorectal cancer, can occur up to 2.5 years before the tumor is identified.
- 📉 While these skin signs are rare, they are important to recognize as they can be indicators of an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy.
- 🔍 It's crucial to differentiate these rare skin signs from more common conditions to avoid under-reporting or undetected cases of colon cancer.
- 📚 For more comprehensive information on colorectal cancer, it is recommended to refer to a full lesson on the topic.
Q & A
What is colon cancer also known as?
-Colon cancer is also known as colorectal carcinoma or colorectal cancer.
Which parts of the body does colon cancer involve?
-Colon cancer involves the large intestine and/or rectum, which can include the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, or the rectum.
What is the prevalence of colon cancer in terms of common types of cancer?
-Colon cancer is the third to fourth most common type of cancer.
What are some factors that increase the risk of getting colon cancer?
-Factors that increase the risk of colon cancer include older age, a low fiber diet, a family history of colon cancer, and a history of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.
What are common symptoms of colon cancer?
-Common symptoms of colon cancer include abdominal pain, stool caliber changes (such as pencil-shaped stools), and bowel habit changes like diarrhea, constipation, or alternation of the two.
What is the Leser-Trélat sign and how does it relate to colon cancer?
-The Leser-Trélat sign is a sudden onset of many seborrheic keratosis lesions, which are often pruritic (itchy) and rapidly increase in size and number. It is considered a rare finding of internal gastrointestinal malignancies, including colon cancer.
What is malignant acanthosis nigricans and how is it associated with colon cancer?
-Malignant acanthosis nigricans is a thickened, hyperpigmented skin lesion often found in intertriginous areas. It is commonly associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, but in some cases, it may develop in patients with colorectal cancer, especially adenocarcinoma.
What is hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita and how does it present in patients with colorectal cancer?
-Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita is a condition where patients start to grow fine, unpigmented lanugo hair, which can occur in various locations but not on the palms, soles, or perineum. In rare cases, it can be associated with an underlying colorectal cancer, with hair growth occurring up to 2.5 years prior to tumor identification.
Why are the skin findings associated with colon cancer considered rare?
-The skin findings are considered rare because they are perineoplastic syndromes and the exact reason why an underlying colon cancer causes these skin findings is not entirely known. Additionally, they may be under-reported or undetected due to their rarity and the commonality of conditions like seborrheic keratosis in the general population.
How does the appearance of seborrheic keratosis lesions typically change over time in normal patients?
-In normal patients, seborrheic keratosis lesions are usually small and can slowly grow over years, becoming bigger and darker in appearance.
What is the significance of the sudden onset and rapid increase in size and number of seborrheic keratosis lesions in the context of colon cancer?
-A sudden onset and rapid increase in size and number of seborrheic keratosis lesions, especially when they are pruritic, can be indicative of an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy, such as colon cancer, which is part of the Leser-Trélat sign.
What are the common locations where malignant acanthosis nigricans can be found?
-Malignant acanthosis nigricans is often found in intertriginous areas where skin rubs on skin, such as the axilla and groin.
Why is it important to consider the Leser-Trélat sign when examining a patient with multiple skin lesions?
-Considering the Leser-Trélat sign is important because it can be an indicator of an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy, including colon cancer, even though it is a rare finding and may be under-reported or undetected.
Outlines
📚 Understanding Colon Cancer and Its Rare Skin Signs
This paragraph introduces colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, which affects the large intestine and rectum. It's the third to fourth most common cancer, with risk factors including age, diet, family history, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, stool caliber changes, and bowel habit changes. The focus then shifts to three rare dermatological signs that may indicate underlying colon cancer: perineoplastic syndromes. The paragraph emphasizes the rarity of these signs but their importance in patient recognition.
🧐 Skin Manifestations of Colon Cancer: Lesser Trelo Sign and Others
The paragraph discusses three specific dermatological signs associated with colon cancer. The first is the Lesser Trelo sign, characterized by a sudden onset of numerous seborrheic keratosis lesions that are often pruritic and increase rapidly in size and number. Seborrheic keratosis is common with aging but the sudden appearance of many lesions, especially if itchy, is significant. The second sign is malignant acanthosis nigricans, a thickened, hyperpigmented skin lesion often found in areas where skin touches skin, such as the axilla and groin. While usually related to obesity and type 2 diabetes, it can also be linked to colorectal adenocarcinoma. Lastly, the paragraph mentions hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita, the growth of fine, unpigmented hair, which is typically associated with metabolic and endocrine conditions but can rarely be a sign of underlying cancer. The paragraph concludes by encouraging viewers to seek more information on colorectal cancer and to engage with the content by liking and subscribing.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Colon Cancer
💡Risk Factors
💡Seborrheic Keratosis
💡Lesser Trello Sign
💡Malignant Acanthosis Nigricans
💡Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa Acquatica
💡Perineoplastic Syndromes
💡Abdominal Pain
💡Stool Caliber Changes
💡Bowel Habit Changes
💡Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Highlights
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, involves the large intestine and/or rectum.
It is the third to fourth most common type of cancer worldwide.
Risk factors include older age, low fiber diet, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colon cancer more than Crohn's disease.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, stool caliber changes, and bowel habit changes.
Three rare dermatological findings can indicate underlying colon cancer.
Lesser Trela or Lesser Trelo sign is characterized by a sudden onset of many seborrheic keratosis lesions.
Seborrheic keratosis lesions in Lesser Trelo sign are often pruritic (itchy).
Malignant acanthosis nigricans presents as thickened, hyperpigmented skin lesions, often in intertriginous areas.
Acanthosis nigricans is commonly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes but can also be linked to colorectal cancer.
Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita is the growth of fine, unpigmented hair, which can be a sign of underlying malignancy.
Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa is usually associated with metabolic and endocrine conditions but can be rare in colorectal cancer.
Hair growth in malignant hypertrichosis lanuginosa can occur up to 2.5 years prior to tumor identification.
These skin findings are rare presentations of underlying colon cancer and are often under-reported or undetected.
Lesser Trelo sign may go undetected due to the commonality of seborrheic keratosis in aging populations.
For more information on colorectal cancer, a full lesson on the topic is available.
The importance of recognizing these rare skin signs for early detection of colon cancer is emphasized.
Transcripts
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