METASTATIC BREAST-CARCINOMA TO THE OS CALCIS PRESENTING AS HEEL PAIN

A 47-year-old woman who had been treated for breast carcinoma 11 years previously developed significant heel pain of unclear etiology, which ultimately proved to be metastatic adenocarcinoma. A low index of sus picion and falsely negative plain radiographs contributed to a delay i n diagnosis. No other osseous metastases besides those to the foot wer e identifiable at the time of diagnosis. Breast carcinoma is one of th e most common malignancies and frequently metastasizes to bone. Despit e this, metastases to the hands or feet (acrometastases) have been ide ntified in only a few cases. It is likely that acrometastases are more common than reported but unrecognized.