GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA PRESENTING AS METASTASIS TO SKELETAL-MUSCLE

Background: The presentation of gastric carcinoma with a metastasis in skeletal muscle is a distinct rarity. Case report: In a 72-year-old m ale patient a soft tissue mass behind the knee was biopsied rather lat e. Histology showed a metastasis of adenocarcinoma. The patient mentio ned a slight feeling of strangulation, which led to endoscopy and the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. Palliative chemotherapy was initially successful but the patient died after 21 months. Discussion: Based on this case history, three points are discussed: how to biopsy a periphe ral soft tissue mass, how to proceed when a metastasis of an unknown p rimary tumor is diagnosed, and the epidemiology of metastases to skele tal muscle.