Can Lung Cancer Cause Spots on Your Skin?
Lung cancer can cause skin changes.
Some parts of your skin look darker than they are. This can look like a variety of colors.
It can occur in a type of lung cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SCLC is the less common type of lung cancer, accounting for about
Skin changes in SCLC may be due to a secondary condition called ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome. Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) is estimated to occur in 2 to 5 percent of people with SCLC.
What it might mean for your outlook is what you will learn from this.
Lung cancer occurs when healthy cells in the lungs change and grow.
In SCLC, these changes can occur in the nerve cells or hormone-producing (endocrine) cells found throughout your lungs. This is why SCLC is often considered a type of neuroendocrine carcinoma. The term “neuroendocrine” refers to the connections between the endocrine and nervous systems.
Cells from a tumor often release hormones into the blood in response to stimulation of the nervous system. Neuroendocrine tumors may produce excessive amounts of ACTH.
Your body releases ACTH to help regulate levels of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone. It regulates how the body turns food into energy, controls blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and affects how the body responds to stress.
Among other symptoms, too much ACTH can cause your skin to become discolored. According to 2019 research, this happens because ACTH causes certain skin cells, called melanocytes, to produce melanin. Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation of your skin.
Secondary disorders like EAS that occur from neuroendocrine tumors are known as paraneoplastic syndromes. They may be related to an atypical response from the immune system to the tumor.
Research has shown that lung cancer is the
It’s still unclear why some people with SCLC experience hyperpigmentation and others do not. Genetics likely plays a role, according to
Does hyperpigmentation occur in non-small cell lung cancer?
Paraneoplastic syndromes, like EAS, occur more often in people with SCLC than in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
It’s very rare for hyperpigmentation to occur in people with NSCLC because this cancer doesn’t come from neuroendocrine cells. However, there has been at least one
There have also been a few reported cases of a condition known as acanthosis nigricans in people with NSCLC, including squamous cell lung cancer and adenocarcinoma, according to a
Treatment for discolored skin, or hyperpigmentation, caused by SCLC involves treating the cancer itself.
If the cancer is still in its early stages, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove (resect) the tumor. Your doctor may also recommend chemotherapy or a combination of different chemotherapies.
Medications, such as steroids, may be prescribed to reduce ACTH levels. Your doctor may also prescribe ketoconazole or mitotane to lower your cortisol level, per a 2020 research review.
It is difficult to diagnose and it is more aggressive. People who have this condition may be more likely to get infections. The outlook is often poor.
People with this condition may live only
Early detection is important. If early detection is made, it can lead to removal of tumors or medication to manage ACTH levels. Early detection and treatment for this syndrome could improve survival rates.
If you have SCLC, there are other symptoms to look out for.
- Weakness in the muscles.
- weight loss
- Anemia.
- high blood pressure.
- high levels of sugar.
- Hypokalemia is low in the amount of potassium.
- alkalosis is a disease.
EAS can lead to a condition known as ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS). Cushing’s syndrome happens when cortisol levels remain high for a long time.
The symptoms of theECS include:
- Increased abdominal fat.
- There is a collection of fat between the shoulders.
- weight gain
- Weakness in the muscles.
- Mental changes include depression or anxiety.
- There are headaches.
- Mood swings.
- Increased thirst.
- impotence (inability to keep an erection)
- Changes in menstruation.
There are answers to common questions about lung cancer.
Can spots on my skin be a sign of lung cancer?
Dark spots on the skin are not a sign of lung cancer. Lung cancer can spread to the skin, but it will usually be a lump.
Nodules are painless. They may be either rubbery or firm.
Dark spots on your skin in the absence of other symptoms can have many sources, and most aren’t a cause for concern. Sun exposure and certain medications can result in hyperpigmentation.
If you have concerns about dark spots on your skin or other symptoms, you should visit a doctor or a dermatologist.
Can chemotherapy cause skin discoloration?
Chemotherapy can lead to changes in the skin and nails, according to the
- There is a rash.
- It was dry.
- blisters
- peeling
- redness
- itchy skin
- swelling
You can also experience skin discoloration, including dark spots and hypopigmentation.
After the treatment begins, skin can be discolored for 2 to 3 weeks. New skin cells replace the old ones and the spots usually go away a few months after the Chemo.
Other treatments for lung cancer, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies, can also cause severe skin There is a rash., It was dry., and hyperpigmentation, according to a
Is there any way to prevent skin discoloration from lung cancer?
It is not possible to prevent skin discoloration caused by EAS.
You can help prevent your risk of lung cancer in general by avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke. If you already smoke, quitting can greatly reduce your risk of lung cancer.
Lung cancer can cause skin discoloration in rare cases. This is due to a condition called EAS. SCLC has a poor outlook.
Skin changes and skin discoloration can be caused by lung cancer treatments.
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, it is important to see your doctor right away.
