Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: July 6, 2017
Acrometastasis as the Initial Presentation of a KRAS-Positive Colon Cancer
Helen Gharwan1, Lavanya Yarlagadda, Austin Duffy
1Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Md., USA.
Abstract:
The propensity of colon cancer to metastasize to bones is very low compared to prostate, breast or lung cancer. The reason for this is not yet understood, although an explanation for the osteotropism of certain primaries has been offered by the 'seed and soil' concept, suggesting that the bone microenvironment provides a favorable 'soil' for metastasis and proliferation of some tumor cells ('seeds') [1]. Here, we report an unusual case of colon cancer with metastasis to the finger at initial presentation, and exophytic sclerotic lesions to other bones. The incidence of metastases to fingers/toes (acrometastases) is reported to be only 0.1%, even after including involvement of primary sites other than the colon. The etiology and characteristics of acrometastases are reviewed in this case report.
Related Concept Videos
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...
