Metastatic tumors to the bones of the foot

Information on lesions that are metastatic to the bones of the feet is limited. Review of the literature revealed only 17 cases, nine of which were confirmed histologically. Our series involved the clinical records, roentgenograms, and pathologic specimens in eight cases of biopsy-proven metastatic involvement of the bones of the foot. In three additional cases, there was clinical and roentgenographic evidence of metastatic osseous foot lesion but biopsy was not done to provide histiolgic confirmation. Genitourinary malignancies tended to be associated with metastasis to the bones of the feet, the calcaneus being the commonest site of involvement. Although metastatic lesions of the foot are rare, foot pain may be suggestive of an occult carcinoma. Foot pain was the initial presenting complaint in five of our eight cases. The pathogenesis of these distal metastatic lesions remains obscure. Specific problems in management are associated with osseous metastases of the foot.