The current Ebola outbreak has drawn attention to the virus in the medical community. Zaire ebolavirus, more commonly known as ‘the Ebola virus,’ is a level 4-security agent in the Filoviridae family. The main cutaneous finding of Ebola is a nonspecific maculopapular rash that appears between day four and six of disease. Patients have “ghost-like” features, and the rash initially presents on the upper arms, flexor forearms, and upper legs, sometimes in a centripetal fashion. Skin biopsy, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and electron microscopy can help provide early diagnosis and conceivably prevent spread if proper precautionary measures are in place.

Generalized morphea is a rare idiopathic form of scleroderma that literally means “hard skin.” Morphea is usually considered an isolated event that is not associated with malignancy. However, case reports of lung, hematologic, and breast cancer occurring simultaneously with large plaque morphea have caused dermatologists to question whether a work-up for malignancy is appropriate. We highlight a case of generalized morphea that preceded invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and provide a discussion about the possible paraneoplastic origin of generalized morphea and systemic sclerosis (SSc).