[Acute arterial occlusion of the upper extremity by tumor embolism].

We present a case of acute occlusion of the right branchial artery in a 56-year-old male caused by bronchogenic tumor embolus as the first manifestation of malignancy. The primary tumor was shown to be inoperable and rapidly formed metastases in skin and liver. The case presented demonstrates, that embolic events originating from malignant tumor cells are characteristic for organ-exceeding tumor growth. Thus the prognosis is generally poor.