What adverse skin manifestations will occur after gastric cancer occurs

Gastric cancer often causes paraneoplastic syndrome, which is a special clinical manifestation caused by the direct or indirect production of certain special hormones and physiologically active products by gastric cancer cells. It can involve various systems of the body, including manifestations in the skin, mucous membranes, and connective tissues. The specific symptoms are as follows:

1. Skin itching: Due to various irritations to the skin caused by non-specific toxins including cancer toxins secreted by gastric cancer cells or other cancer substances, the skin may become itchy. In severe cases, prurigo, i.e., wheal-like papules and nodules, may form, which generally manifests as extremely itchy. The above symptoms may appear after the onset of gastric cancer or before the symptoms of gastric cancer appear. Therefore, for those over 40 years old with progressive itching, if it does not heal after long-term treatment, it should be considered whether it is caused by gastric cancer.

2. Herpes zoster: Clinical observations show that the probability of gastric cancer patients developing herpes zoster is twice as high as that of ordinary people, and the elderly and frail gastric cancer patients are more likely to experience this symptom. Like skin rashes, herpes zoster may also be a precursor symptom of gastric cancer.

3. Dermatomyositis : Dermatomyositis is a diffuse non-infectious disease of the skin and muscles. The main symptoms are muscle weakness, pain and swelling. The probability of dermatomyositis in gastric cancer patients is 5 to 7 times higher than that of the general population. Some gastric cancer patients also present with dermatomyositis as the first manifestation. Therefore, patients with dermatomyositis, especially those over 40 years old, should be alert to the occurrence of gastric cancer.