The New England Journal of Medicine
The phenomenon is called acrometastasis and is an extremely rare form of cancer dissemination and a sign that it is already in terminal phase.
A 55 -year -old man developed a painful swelling on the middle finger From the right hand and the large finger of the right foot, which turned out to be a rare symptom of a cancer already spread by the body. The unusual case, described in a published in The New England Journal of Medicine, shows how metastatic lung cancer can manifest itself in unexpected and severe ways.
The patient had been previously diagnosed with metastatic lung spinineular carcinoma, a type of cancer that begins in flat cells that coat the airways and is known for its aggressive propagation capacity. About six weeks after the initial diagnosis, the man noticed a painful, reddish swelling on his finger and foot, with the big finger of the foot developed an ulcer by the nail.
During the clinical evaluation, doctors found that the swelling had a “drum drum” shape and that the affected areas were firm and sensitive to the touch. Image exams revealed destructive lytic injuries on the fingers, being areas where the cancer had eroded and replaced the bone tissue. These lesions are usually associated with bone metastases, causing visible flaws or spaces in the bone structure.
The man was diagnosed with acrometasis, an extremely rare form of cancer dissemination that occurs in bones below the elbows or knees. According to a 2021 review, acrometases represent Only 0.1% of cases of bone metastases. They are more often associated with lung cancers, gastrointestinal and geniturium tract, and affect men, explains the.
Since the bones of the fingertips and feet have less bone marrow and lower blood flow than larger bones, such as the spine or basin, are rarely affected by metastases. When they arise, symptoms, such as swelling and redness, can be confused with gout or osteomyelitis, delaying the correct diagnosis.
Acrometases are usually a terminal cancer signal and are associated with a reserved prognosis, with an average survival of less than six months after diagnosis. Treatments focus mainly on palliative care instead of healing. In this case, doctors started palliative radiotherapy to control symptoms.
O Patient died only three weeks later Due to refractory hypercalcemia, a dangerous increase in blood calcium levels often associated with advanced cancers.
