[The syndrome of bazex or acrokeratosis paraneoplastica]

Bazex syndrome or acrokeratosis paraneoplastica is a rare dermatosis usually associated with a squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract or with metastases in the cervical lymph nodes. It presents as psoriasiform violaceous scaly patches over extremities, tip of the nose, earlobes and helices. This syndrome evolves in three stages parallel to the growth of the tumor, thus the utility of recognition of the syndrome which may unmask the associated neoplasia at an early stage. Treatment consists of treating the underlying neoplasia whether by surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Recurrence of cutaneous lesions may reveal the recurrence of the tumor.