Two cases of ichthyosiform atrophy of the skin are reported, occurring respectively in a 65-year-old man with reticulum cell sarcoma, and a 69-year-old man with metastasizing carcinoma of the lung. The pathogenesis of this alteration is discussed; it is considered highly improbable that vitamin A deficiency or a disturbance of the vitamin A metabolism should play a prominent part herein. The literature concerning ichthyosiform atrophy is reviewed.