Recurrent aortic occlusion due to malignancy.

A 62-year-old male had repeated episodes of aortic bifurcation occlusion by malignant masses of the same histologic type as the previously excised adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon. In spite of an extensive investigation of the lungs, heart and aorta no trace of the origin and the route of dissemination of the carcinomatous masses was found. Severe suspicion arises of massive malignant direct invasion of the aorta from the local recurrence of the tumor of the descending colon excised 3 years previously.