Patellar metastasis: a rare presentation

Abstract

Primary patellar neoplasms are uncommon and metastasis to the patella is rarer still. Very few reports have been published in the literature (Stoler & Staple, 1969; Keeley, 1973; Gall et al, 1974; Ashby & Dappen, 1976; Hussey, 1976; Kwa & Nade, 1989). We present a case of primary bronchogenic carcinoma presenting as a huge swelling around the knee owing to a metastatic lesion in the patella.

Patellar metastasis from primary tumor (Review)

“…Patients usually exhibited limited flexibility of the affected knee, with atrophy of the quadriceps (5). Additionally, the sounds of breathing were diminished over the pulmonary lesion when observed using auscultation (10,12). Certain patients did not exhibit any symptoms of respiratory distress.…”

“…Serum ALP level was increased in a patient with monoarticular arthritis secondary to metastatic patellar spread of bronchogenic carcinoma (15). A Mantoux test may exclude the possibility of tuberculosis in the knee (12).…”

“…In total, 7 cases were associated with squamous cell (4,5,9,10,(12)(13)(14)(15) and 7 cases with adenocarcinoma (3,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Only 1 case was adenosquamous (6), whereas for 2 cases, the histological type of lung cancer was not stated (22,23).…”

“…Patients who had patellar metastasis of the lung presented with progressive knee pain and limited mobility that was relieved by analgesic drugs (10). The patients frequently had a history of smoking along with a persistent cough and weight loss (3,5,12,14,17,22). Additionally, 2 patients had recent trauma history (3,9).…”

Patellar Metastasis From a Squamous Carcinoma of the Lung

“…A review of the English literature reveals 23 cases of histologically proven patellar metastases. [1][2][3][5][6][7][9][10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] There are four previous reports of patellar metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. 2,6,18,20 In three of four cases, knee pain was the first manifestation of lung cancer.…”