Acrometastasis as the initial presentation of bronchogenic carcinoma

Abstract

Metastasis to the digits occurs infrequently and has a nonspecific clinical presentation.We report a patient who had persistent swelling and ulceration involving his rightthumb nail. He did not have a prior diagnosis of cancer, and this delayed his eventualdiagnosis of non-small cell cancer of the lung with acrometastasis. He was treated withamputation and other palliative measures. Physicians should include acrometastasis inthe differential diagnosis in patients with persistent non-healing digital injuries or ulcers.These patients usually have limited treatment options and a very poor prognosis.