Subungual metastasis from a rectal primary: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

Subungual metastases from colorectal cancer are unusual and have mainly been reported in patients with lung, genitourinary, and breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We present the case of a 72-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma and a subungual metastasis to the left thumb 5 years later.

METHODS

A case report and a brief review of the literature of subungual metastases are given.

RESULTS

The thumb was amputated and the patient died 6 months later with extensive metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

Metastatic carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent subungual masses, particularly in patients with a history of cancer. The prognosis with such lesions is generally poor.