Cutaneous Metastasis from Colonic Adenocarcinoma: Mimicker of Infectious Etiology

The document presents a retrospective cross-sectional study examining the cutaneous and systemic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women referred to a multidisciplinary PCOS clinic at the University of California San Francisco. Out of 401 women referred for suspected PCOS, 276 (69%) met the Rotterdam PCOS diagnostic criteria. The study found that women who met the PCOS criteria had significantly higher rates of hirsutism, acne, and acanthosis nigricans (AN) compared to those who did not meet the criteria. Hirsutism and AN were associated with elevated free testosterone levels and metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and elevated body mass index (BMI). Acne was more prevalent in women with PCOS, but there were minimal differences in acne types and distribution between the two groups. The study concluded that hirsutism and AN are reliable cutaneous markers of PCOS and are associated with metabolic comorbidities, while acne and androgenic alopecia are not reliable markers of biochemical hyperandrogenism in this population. The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive skin exam in diagnosing PCOS and suggests that the presence of hirsutism and AN should prompt further evaluation for metabolic complications.