Sign of Leser-Trélat-Reply

Abstract

As Dr Brown points out, the sign of Leser-Trelat is not well fixed in the medical literature; thus, definition of the syndrome is difficult. However, for practical purposes we suggest that the sign of Leser-Trelat refers to the sudden appearance and rapid increase in size and number of seborrheic keratoses associated with internal malignant disease. There may or may not be regression of the keratoses with disappearance of the tumor. The rapid appearance of seborrheic keratoses clinically developed both on erythematous and on normal skin of our patient, who was subsequently found to have a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. There was regression and/or disappearance of the keratoses with removal of the tumor. We believe he fulfills the criteria for the sign of Leser-Trelat. We question the term acanthoma, which we think is a nonspecific term when used alone.