Advanced Esophageal Neoplasm with Subcutaneous Metastasis

Abstract

Objective. This report is aimed at describing a rare clinical condition of advanced esophageal cancer with subcutaneous metastasis. Case Report. The present case refers to a patient diagnosed with stage IV esophageal squamous cell carcinoma which started with dysphonia and cervical nodules. Soon after that, the patient developed dysphagia and subcutaneous lesions on the right flank. Later in time, we documented a disease progression, with worsening of subcutaneous implants, lymph node, bone, and pulmonary metastases in addition to malignant hypercalcemia. Conclusion. This illustrates a rare presentation of an advanced esophageal neoplasm. Subcutaneous metastasis from internal malignancies is unusual, corresponding to less than 10% of cases. Its occurrence in patients with esophageal cancer is even less common with very few cases reported in literature.

Unexpected Solitary Subcutaneous Metastasis From Esophageal Carcinoma Revealed by MDP Bone Scintigraphy

“…Subcutaneous metastasis occurs in 0.6% to 10.4% of all patients with solid tumors, and it was even rarer in esophageal carcinoma. [6][7][8] Subcutaneous metastasis needs differentiation from other primary soft tissue sarcomas. Increased extraosseous uptake of 99m Tc-MDP caused by various etiologies has been well described.…”

“…The pathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, consistent with esophageal carcinoma metastasis. Subcutaneous metastasis occurs in 0.6% to 10.4% of all patients with solid tumors, and it was even rarer in esophageal carcinoma 6–8 . Subcutaneous metastasis needs differentiation from other primary soft tissue sarcomas.…”