Cancer, Erythema Annulare Centrifugum, Autoimmunity

A case is presented embodying many interesting aspects of cancer and associated host resistance. Skin testing showed the patient to be reactive to his own tumor tissue extracts, and pathologic studies showed the presence of tumor cells in the annular dermatitis. Temporary involution of the annular erythema followed removal and roentgen treatment of the original tumor and involved axillary nodes. Recurrence of the dermatitis preceded gross clinical reappearance of the malignancy; however, the erythema disappeared again as the patient's health began to fail generally 3 weeks before death.