Ewing sarcoma: phalangeal primary with fatal cardiac metastases.

A 39-year-old man had pain and swelling of the terminal phalanx of a finger. Radiograph was interpreted as osteomyelitis, and amputation through the mid-phalanx was performed. Histology revealed Ewing sarcoma. Lung metastases rapidly developed. Right lung irradiation and systemic chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, were instituted. He developed progressive severe right ventricular failure which was attributed to effects of large pulmonary metastases. Autopsy showed massive right ventricular metastases, the primary pathological cause of the heart failure, without evidence of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy.