Dissection of the ascending aorta due to metastatic carcinoma

The association of aortic dissection with a malignancy is a rare finding an d previous reports are usually those of primary aortic sarcomas. In this re port we present a case with typical ascending aorta dissection associated w ith metastatic carcinoma originating from the lungs. The metastatic infiltr ation of the vasovasorum of the aorta by carcinoma cells may have caused ao rtic dissection by decreasing medial strength and integrity. This is a mech anism of aortic dissection that we have not encountered in previous reports . (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.