Carcinoma erysipeloides (CE; also known as carcinoma erysipelatoides) is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis that presents as an erythematous, well-demarcated patch or plaque that clinically resembles erysipelas. It develops due to lymphatic spread of a primary malignancy, with subsequent lymphatic obstruction. It often appears after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, lymphadenectomy, or tumor excision surgery, all of which are hypothesized to cause shedding of the malignant cells into lymphatics.

CE most commonly arises in the setting of underlying breast carcinoma (1%-2% of all breast carcinomas), most commonly poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma. As a result, CE most often presents unilaterally on the chest wall. Although rare, it has also been reported with primary tumors of the parotid, tonsils, colon, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, rectum, lung, ovary, uterus, prostate, and bladder, as well as with primary melanoma and mesothelioma.

CE usually develops due to tumor recurrence, although rarely it is the initial presenting sign of an underlying occult malignancy.

After onset, CE typically progresses with rapid enlargement of the original patch or plaque without skin ulceration. As with other cutaneous metastases, the overall prognosis is poor, with a recent review reporting a median survival of 9.21 months.