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 resembles erysipelas. It is most commonly seen unilaterally on the chest wall. It represents lymphatic spread of a primary tumor, usually directly from an affected lymph node, to the cutaneous lymphatics 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 is almost exclusively associated with breast carcinoma (1%-2% of all breast carcinomas), with poorly differentiated ductal carcinomas being most common, and rarely primary tumors of the parotid, tonsils, colon, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, rectum, lung, ovary, uterus, prostate, or bladder, or with melanoma or mesothelioma.

If a primary tumor has been surgically resected, CE is considered a marker of tumor recurrence. Very rarely (2%-5% of all CE cases), it is a presenting sign of underlying carcinoma.

CE usually proceeds clinically with rapid enlargement of the affected area without skin ulceration. As with other cutaneous metastases, the prognosis is extremely poor, with an average life expectancy of 2 years from diagnosis.