Infiltrating gastric adenocarcinoma with disseminated osteoblastic metastases

An Sist Sanit Navar. 2013 Jan-Apr;36(1):153-7. doi: 10.4321/s1137-66272013000100022.

Abstract

We report the case of a man with a diagnosis of invasive gastric adenocarcinoma associated with scattered osteoblastic metastases. This 65-year-old patient was admitted with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, in addition to loss of weight (13 Kg in 3 months). Upper digestive endoscopy revealed extensive infiltrating changes in the body of the stomach, and histopathologic data confirmed the diagnosis of a Borrmann IV gastric adenocarcinoma. Complementary exams were indicative of a gastric cancer with bone metastases, characterized by disseminated osteoblastic images of the scintigraphy of the skeleton. Palliative chemotherapy was the treatment of first choice. High serum levels of CA 19-9, CEA and alkaline phosphatase can constitute useful indicative tools of this challenging condition. Images from a scintigraphy study of the skeleton can characterize the type and extension of bone metastases. The aim of this case study is to report a case of a very uncommon condition, considering that disseminated osteoblastic metastases rarely develop in this kind of tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osteoblasts / pathology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*