"Clown nose" as first manifestation of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Background: Skin metastases occur in 0.7% to 9% of all patients with cancer and are usually considered a late event in the evolution of most visceral carcinomas. The development of a nodular metastatic lesion on the nasal tip is known as clown nose sign.

Main observation: We report a 64-year-old man that developed a nodular lesion on his nasal tip as first manifestation of squamous lung carcinoma.

Conclusion: The biopsy of the cutaneous metastasis may be helpful to histopathologically confirm the suspected primary tumour avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.