Palmar metastasis of an adenocarcinoma of the esophago-gastric-junction: First case report.

INTRODUCTION

Hand metastasis represents only approximately 0.007-0.2% of all metastatic lesions. The most common origin of hand metastasis is the lung, which is approximately 50% of all cases, followed by breast and kidney. Hand metastasis from gastric or esophagic cancer is even much more rare.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

This is the first case report of a metastasis to the palm of hand (tendon) due to an adenocarcinoma of esophago-gastric-junction.

DISCUSSION

While most of the esophagic and gastric carcinomas metastasizes to liver, lungs and brain, the rare possibility of encountering metastasis to the hand either to the bone, but also to the tendon exists. Therefore, we recommend obtaining a thorough history and a detailed clinical examination, plain radiographs, followed by axial imaging techniques like MRI and a histopathologic evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Even if metastatic lesions to the hand are really rare, the surgeon should always be suspicious of a metastatic lesion, when presented with a patient older than 40 years who has a history of cancer.