Leser–Trelat sign in cosmetologist’s practice

Leser–Trelat syndrome (eruptive seborrheic keratosis) is an unusial paraneoplastic dermatosis characterized by sudden appearance of seborrheic keratomas on the skin and a progressive increase of their number. This condition was first described in 1901 by the German surgeon E. Leser and the French surgeon U. Trelat. It occurs with the same frequency in both men and women aged 40+. The etiology and pathogenesis have not been studied in detail, however, there is evidence that the development of the syndrome may be associated with stimulation of the epidermal growth factor, which leads to stimulation of keratinocytes. The manifestation of the syndrome is usually start at the same time with cancer development, mostly it can be combained with adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract (47.7%), with intestinal carcinoma (32%), with lymphoproliferative diseases (21%), less often with malignant neoplasms of the lungs, breast, prostate.

The clinical picture of the Leser–Trelat sign is characterized by the sudden appearance оf seborrheic keratomas, which have typical clinical and histological signs. The most typical localization of seborrheic keratosis are back and chest (76%), limbs (18%), face (21%), abdomen (15%), neck (13%), armpits (6%), inguinal folds (3%). Keratosis can appear rapidly, over several months or even weeks. The rapid appearance of multiple seborheic keratomas may precede or develop with the oncological process in the internal organs.

Treatment is carried out at the same time with the establishment and treatment of the underlying disease and consists in removing the largest keratomas by destructive methods (surgical excision, radiowave method, cryodestruction, electrocoagulation).

The prognosis is favorable if paraneoplastic process was early detected.

The article describes clinical cases of multiple seborrheic keratosis and the tactics of examining this group of patients.