Abstract
BackgroundColorectal cancer is the third commonest cause of cancer death in UK. It commonly metastasises to the liver but rarely to small bones.Case presentationWe describe a case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the descending colon who presented preoperatively with a right supraclavicular swelling. Subsequent imaging and cytology of the lesion revealed this to be a metastasis to the right clavicle resulting in a pathological fracture.ConclusionThis report describes the rare occurrence of a colorectal metastasis to the clavicle. It emphasises that although bone metastases from primary colorectal tumours are rare events, they tend to metastasise to small, non-weight bearing bones. It also discusses the utility of isotope bone scanning and that on certain occasions this imaging method may prove to be equivocal. In such circumstances, biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive for the detection of bone metastases.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer is the third commonest cause of cancer death in UK
This report describes the rare occurrence of a colorectal metastasis to the clavicle
It emphasises that bone metastases from primary colorectal tumours are rare events, they tend to metastasise to small, non-weight bearing bones. It discusses the utility of isotope bone scanning and that on certain occasions this imaging method may prove to be equivocal
Summary
This case report highlights that a high degree of suspicion should be employed in colorectal cancer patients presenting with bone pain or lesions. There is a need for caution when using isotope bone scanning for detecting bone metastases. With improved colorectal cancer survival and improved quality of care, it may be necessary to consider using bone scanning or MRI to identify and treat these lesions early. Solitary skeletal metastases from primary colorectal tumours are rare. 2. Skeletal metastases from primary colorectal tumours tend to occur in small, non-weight bearing bones including the clavicle. 3. Isotope bone scans should be used with caution in the detection of skeletal metastases. 8. Sundermeyer ML, Meropol NJ, Rogatko A, Wang H, Cohen SJ: Changing patterns of bone and brain metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. 9. Ron IG, Striecker A, Lerman H, Bar-Am A, Frisch B: Bone scan and bone biopsy in the detection of skeletal metastases. This images reveals an infiltrating adenocarcinoma with focal mucin pooling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
