[Muscle metastasis as initial manifestation of adenocarcinoma of the stomach].

BACKGROUND

The presentation of gastric carcinoma with a metastasis in skeletal muscle is a distinct rarity.

CASE REPORT

In a 72-year-old male patient a soft tissue mass behind the knee was biopsied rather late. Histology showed a metastasis of adenocarcinoma. The patient mentioned a slight feeling of strangulation, which led to endoscopy and the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. Palliative chemotherapy was initially successful but the patient died after 21 months.

DISCUSSION

Based on this case history, three points are discussed: how to biopsy a peripheral soft tissue mass, how to proceed when a metastasis of an unknown primary tumor is diagnosed, and the epidemiology of metastases to skeletal muscle.