Subcutaneous emphysema in advanced cancer

Spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema is a rare and usually benign entity that may occasionally be symptomatic. We report a case of a patient with advanc ed cancer who developed extensive but asymptomatic subcutaneous emphysema s hortly before death. Perforation of the lower gastrointestinal tract, perha ps as a result of straining due to severe unrelieved constipation or due to fistula formation, is suspected to have been the mechanism. The causes, tr eatment, and implications for management of this condition are discussed. ( C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 2000.