Dermoscopy of Neoplastic Alopecia Secondary to Cutaneous Metastasis from Breast Carcinoma

June 2024 in “ Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ”

Bruno Santos, Eduardo César Diniz Macêdo, Bruna Nascimento Arruda Scabello, P. Grossi, Neusa Yuriko Sakai Valente

neoplastic alopecia cutaneous metastasis breast carcinoma dermoscopy erythematous plaques scalp hair loss milky-red areas arboriform vessels yellow dots

TLDR Recognizing specific scalp patterns can help diagnose hair loss linked to breast cancer spread.

This report details a case of neoplastic alopecia (NA) secondary to cutaneous metastasis from breast carcinoma in a 68-year-old woman. The patient, previously treated for breast cancer, presented with asymptomatic erythematous plaques on the scalp, leading to hair loss. Dermoscopic examination revealed specific patterns, including milky-red areas, arboriform vessels, and yellow dots, which are crucial for differentiating NA from other scalp conditions. The study highlights the importance of recognizing these dermoscopic features, as NA can be an early indicator of internal malignancy, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and management.

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Research cited in this study

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research Breast Cancer-Related Neoplastic Alopecia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

3 citations , January 2021 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Hair loss due to scalp metastasis from breast cancer, known as Neoplastic Alopecia, has a better survival rate than other scalp metastases and requires a biopsy for diagnosis.

research Review of Scalp Alopecia Due to a Clinically Unapparent or Minimally Apparent Neoplasm (SACUMAN)

32 citations , January 2006 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

SACUMAN, a rare condition causing hair loss without clear signs, is often misdiagnosed and needs scalp biopsies for accurate detection.