BACKGROUND: Subungual metastases from colorectal cancer are unusual and have mainly been reported in patients with lung, genitourinary, and breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: We present the case of a 72-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma and a subungual metastasis to the left thumb 5 years later. METHODS: A case report and a brief review of the literature of subungual metastases are given. RESULTS: The thumb was amputated and the patient died 6 months later with extensive metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Metastatic carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent subungual masses, particularly in patients with a history of cancer. The prognosis with such lesions is generally poor.
BACKGROUND: Subungual metastases from colorectal cancer are unusual and have mainly been reported in patients with lung, genitourinary, and breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: We present the case of a 72-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma and a subungual metastasis to the left thumb 5 years later. METHODS: A case report and a brief review of the literature of subungual metastases are given. RESULTS: The thumb was amputated and the patient died 6 months later with extensive metastatic disease. CONCLUSION:Metastatic carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent subungual masses, particularly in patients with a history of cancer. The prognosis with such lesions is generally poor.