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Squamous carcinoma metastatic to the sternum
S E D'Orazio1, K S Naunheim, C E Paletta
1Department of Surgery, St. Louis University Medical Center, Missouri.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|December 1, 1990
Summary
A man developed a large sternal mass 18 months after bypass surgery. The mass was a metastatic squamous tumor, with no primary source identified, presenting diagnostic and treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Aortocoronary bypass grafting is a common surgical procedure for coronary artery disease.
- Post-operative complications, though rare, can include unusual tumor presentations.
- Metastatic disease following cardiac surgery requires careful diagnostic evaluation.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male presented with a significant sternal mass (10 x 16 cm).
- The mass was detected 18 months subsequent to his second aortocoronary bypass operation.
- The patient had no identifiable primary tumor site.
Findings:
- Histological examination of the resected sternal lesion revealed a metastatic tumor.
- The tumor histology was confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma.
- The absence of a primary tumor complicated the etiological diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering metastatic disease in sternal masses post-cardiac surgery.
- Diagnostic work-up for such masses should include thorough oncological assessment.
- Management strategies must be tailored to the specific findings, including potential surgical and oncological interventions.