Case Report: A Rare Case of Sternal Erosion Due to Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary sternal malignancy is very uncommon. Secondary sternal malignancy is usually caused by either hematological dissemination or by direct extension due to parasternal lymph node involvement from breast or lung carcinoma.Case DetailsA 72 years old smoker presented with a dull aching pain over the sternum. Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax revealed osteolytic erosion of manubrium sterni, along with a mass of lesion in the upper lobe of left lung and left sided mediastinal lymphadenopathy. CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the left lung mass showed squamous cell carcinoma and FNAC of the sternal lesion revealed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionDirect erosion of sternum in case of squamous cell carcinoma of lung is a rarity. We have reported this case to increase the awareness of clinicians regarding the possibility of direct sternal involvement from lung cancer. Moreover, local removal can improve the prognosis.

Sternal Metastasis of Lung Cancer: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

“…Although bones are a common site for lung cancer metastases, the sternum is rarely implicated, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature [ 4 ].…”

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Sternum: An Oncological Curiosity

“…Although skeletal metastasis is common especially vertebral spine, isolated metastatic tumours of the sternum are rare. The common histology are mostly adenocarcinoma or ductal in origin arise from the breast, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, lung, and even thymus 4,5,6 .Squamous carcinoma metastatic to bone marrow is an exceedingly rare lesion. Although the search for the primary tumour is often time-consuming and difficult, its identification and histologic diagnosis provide valuable information for determining the appropriate treatment.…”