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Experimental Metastasis Assay
Published on: August 24, 2010
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Acrometastasis: a literature review
1Orthopedic Oncologic Unit; and Hand Surgery Unit, Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. d.stomeomd@gmail.com.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|August 5, 2015
Summary
Acrometastases are rare, often presenting in pre-terminal cancer patients. Lung cancer is the most common primary source, with amputation being a frequent treatment, though outcomes remain poor.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metastatic Disease Research
- Skeletal Metastasis
Background:
- Acrometastases are rare, accounting for ~0.1% of all metastases.
- They predominantly affect males and can occur at any age.
- Common primary sites include lung, colorectal, breast, and genito-urinary cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature from the past 20 years.
- To identify common primary tumor sites leading to acrometastases.
- To describe frequently employed treatment modalities for acrometastases.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of major databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CENTRAL).
- Inclusion of studies published between 1940 and February 2014.
- Analysis of primary cancer types and metastatic sites.
Main Results:
- Lung cancer was the most frequent primary source (32.9%), followed by renal cell cancer (20%), breast (12.9%), and colon (10%).
- Hematogenous spread via circulation, potentially involving Batson's plexus for foot metastases, is suggested.
- Amputation or disarticulation is the most common surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
- Treatment strategies are tailored to tumor staging and extent.
- Palliative options include radiation therapy, bisphosphonates, and chemotherapy.
- Prognosis is generally poor with a mean survival of 7 months; radical resection for renal cell carcinoma metastases may improve outcomes.
