Inflammatory skin metastases from ovarian carcinoma—a case report and review of the literature

Skin metastases from ovarian carcinoma are rarely reported. Most cases present as cutaneous nodules, generally as periumbilical Sister Joseph's nodules. An uncommon presentation of cutaneous metastases from ovarian epithelial carcinoma is the inflammatory pattern, which mimics herpetiform lesions to the skin. A 48-year-old patient with refractory ovarian carcinoma, complicated by groin lymph node metastatic disease developed edema, in the form of “Peau d'orange,” over the lower abdominal skin, the upper aspects of the lower extremities, and the gluteal skin. Large areas of multiple erythematous vesicular appearance that resembled herpes zoster lesions were noted. Biopsy of the skin lesions revealed ovarian skin metastases. The diagnosis of ovarian skin metastases is uncommon. It mimics inflammatory viral infection as herpes zoster lesions. Supportive care is needed due to painful presentation.