Muscle involvement by widely metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Muscle metastases remain rare as a secondary localization for cancers in general and lung cancer in particular. They are discovered incidentally in most cases and in the advanced stages of cancer. We report the case of a 60-year-old man, followed for squamous cell carcinoma, who was found to have muscle metastases during the follow-up of associated muscle pain. This case highlights the existence of these metastases in lung squamous cell carcinoma, rare as it is, and requires particular attention from practitioners in the follow-up of patients to detect these cases as early as possible and improve patient survival. Computed Tomography (CT) remains an excellent exam for the detection of skeletal metastasis.

Muscle metastasis revealing an adenocarcinoma of the lung

“…The most common histological types of lung cancer which metastases in skeletal muscle are adenocarcinoma [4]. The most affected muscles are usually the iliopsoas and paraspinal muscles [3]. In our case, it was a lung adenocarcinoma which had metastased in Sartorius muscle.…”

“…Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide due to late diagnosis. The most common known metastases are adrenal, liver, bone, and brain [3]. The metastatic spread of lung cancer in the skeletal muscle is an uncommon finding (<1%), associated with poor prognosis and an average life expectancy of 6 months [2].…”

“…Muscle metastases are rare and can occur in two main ways: by contiguity with loco-regional invasion or rarely by the hematogenous way. These metastases have a poor prognosis [3].…”

Compound Pelvic Muscle Metastasis in Laryngeal Carcinoma

“…Muscle metastases are rare in all types of primary cancer. The muscles that are often most impacted are the iliopsoas and paraspinal muscles [12]. The presence of these metastases suggests the very aggressive character of the underlying tumor [12].…”

A rare case of pancreatic metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma

“…Lung cancers are diagnosed at a metastatic stage in 40–50% of cases [ 1 ]. Common metastases sites of lung cancers remain liver, adrenal, bone and kidney [ 1 , 2 ]. Pancreatic metastases of lung cancers are rare and incidental.…”