Abstract
The sign of Leser-Trélat is a paraneoplastic phenomenon marked by abrupt appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses. The rapid increase in their size and number can be caused by an associated cancer. In most cases, the cancer is diagnosed in an advanced stage. The mechanism of the sign has not been clarified. We report a case of early gastric cancer presented with the sign of Leser-Trélat in the trunk. A 75-year-old man seen at the department of dermatology for rapidly spreading seborrheic keratosis with itching on his trunk was suspected of the sign of Leser-Trélat. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy indicated early gastric cancer. Distal gastrectomy was performed in our department of surgery. After the operation verrucae reduced in the size and itching sensation of the skin disappeared. Seborrheic keratosis characterized by pruritus and rapidly increasing size and number should lead diagnosticians to suspect the sign of Leser-Trélat and the possible association of visceral organ malignancies.
