[Digital acrometastasis]

Abstract

Cutaneous metastases are infrequent and in some cases represent the first manifestation of an unknown neoplasm. Acrally located metastases are particularly rare, and the prognosis is very poor, with a survival time of only a few months. Although the clinical presentation varies, they are generally confused with an infectious or inflammatory process, which delays diagnosis. When they are located on the fingers, the most frequent cause is lung carcinoma, while those located on the toes are usually due to tumors in the genitourinary tract. The histology of the metastasis is similar to that of the primary tumor, although less differentiated. In most acrometastases, first the bone and then the skin are affected. Treatment is palliative. We present the case of a patient with a metastasis on the big toe as an initial sign of a previously unknown lung tumor.