Bazex Syndrome

Bazex syndrome is a paraneoplastic skin disease characterized by acrokeratosis in carcinomas of the upper airway or cervical lymph node metastases. Most often, men over 40 are affected.

Patients suffer from asymptomatic, symmetrical erythematous-scaly psoriasiform rashes on the acres. The most commonly affected places are the ears, nails, nose, fingers, hands, and feet. Typical is an initially isolated infestation of the auricles.

The lesions can spread to the cheeks, elbows, knees, and trunk. Up to 18% of patients have pruritus.

The cause of the syndrome is still unclear. Possible options include cross-activity between epidermal and tumor antigens or production of epidermal growth factor by the tumor cells.