Bone metastasis from colon carcinoma in an 11-year-old boy: radiological features and brief review of the literature

Skeletal Radiol. 2015 May;44(5):743-8. doi: 10.1007/s00256-014-2039-7. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

Abstract

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who came to our observation with localized pain in the left arm for nearly 5 months. No previous history of trauma was referred in an otherwise healthy patient. Radiographs, isotope bone-scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lesion involving the left humerus are discussed. Histological diagnosis from biopsy of the humerus was metastasis from mucinous adenocarcinoma. The primary tumor site was identified in the sigmoid-descending colon, and at presentation, in addition to the left humerus, the disease had already developed in multiple skeletal sites. This report also considers literature concerning such a rare disease in children. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of childhood colorectal cancer diagnosed because of a bone metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / secondary*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Child
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Humans
  • Humerus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humerus / pathology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Radionuclide Imaging