Background and aim: Hyperpigmentation is a kind of paraneoplastic syndrome associated with lung cancer. Diffuse hyperpigmentation was reported and generally resulted from overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone or adrenocorticotropic hormone. However, localized hyperpigmentation is rare for lung cancer.
Methods: Here, we report a 56-year-old lung adenocarcinoma patient who developed hyperpigmentation in two palms about 3 months preceding the diagnosis and resolved gradually with the shrink of the primary tumours in lung after chemotherapy.
Result: Localized hyperpigmentation suggests that another mechanism might be involved.
Conclusion: The case reminds us that any skin disorders without obvious causes in heavy smokers should be alerted as a sign of lung cancer and sometimes could be used as a marker of response to the treatment.
Keywords: hyperpigmentation; lung cancer; paraneoplastic syndrome.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.