Pemphigus vegetans in a patient with lung cancer.

A 66-year-old woman with a history of lung cancer treated with radiotherapy 2-years prior to admission, was seen for mucosal and skin lesions of 3-month's duration. She had pustules involving intertriginous areas and erosions involving the oral mucosa. Histopathology of skin lesions and the results of direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies were consistent with the Hallopeau-type pemphigus vegetans. Additionally, circulating antibodies against skeletal muscles were detected in patient's serum. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive therapy and had an almost complete remission of skin and mucosal lesions within 1 month; however, the patient developed pneumonia with pyothorax, apparently related to recurrence of lung cancer.