Diffuse swelling of one finger in a patient with metastatic breast cancer

Tumor metastases distal to the elbow, and specifically in the hand, are ext remely rare. The diagnosis can be difficult, because these lesions can rese mble those of rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory arthritis, and osteo myelitis. Therefore, rheumatologists should consider metastasis to the limb s in the differential diagnosis of individuals who present with joint or bo ne manifestations and history of cancer, even if remote. We report a woman with breast cancer and metastatic disease predominantly affecting one finge r.