A rare case of malignant acanthosis nigricans in a lady with ovarian cancer

Abstract

"Tripe palms" or pachydermatoglyphy is a descriptive term of acanthosis nigricans of the palms and is associated with internal malignancy. It often precedes the diagnosis of a new or recurrent tumor. Malignant acanthosis nigricans is most commonly associated with intra-abdominal malignancies. In patients with both tripe palms and acanthosis nigricans, gastric carcinoma is the most common followed by lung carcinoma. There are very few reports in the literature of malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with gynecological malignancies. We report this case because of its rarity. A 47-year-old lady presented with lower abdominal swelling and progressive hyperpigmentation which preceded the abdominal swelling by 6 months. On investigations, she was found to have ovarian cancer. The presence of acanthosis nigricans in conjunction with tripe palms in a female patient is highly suggestive of an internal malignancy including an ovarian cancer and demands an extensive search for the hidden ovarian cancer.