The Skin as a Window on Internal Disorders: Two Cases of Internal Malignancy and Hypervitaminosis B12

Three years ago, a study was conducted on two cases of internal malignancy: small cell carcinoma of the lung and cervical carcinoma in stage IIB, which were detected through paraneoplastic cutaneous manifestations. The study also reported raised vitamin B12 levels along with high levels of cobalamin in patients with different types of cancer. The skin often acts as a mirror of changes internal to the body, and these cutaneous manifestations, known as paraneoplastic manifestations, can be the first sign of an underlying malignant tumor. The study highlighted the importance of generalized exfoliation, tripe palms, sudden-onset hair loss, and high levels of vitamin B12 as paraneoplastic conditions. The study stressed the importance of a detailed medical history, general physical examination, and evaluation with an age-appropriate workup for malignancies. The study concluded that the skin acts as a window on internal disorders, and hypervitaminosis B12 ought to be considered as a cancer manifestation.