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Aggressive digital papillary adenoma / adenocarcinoma - Foot and Ankle

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma is a rare cutaneous tumor of eccrine sweat gland origin that occurs on the plantar surfaces of the digits in the hand and foot.
This tumor affects men more than women, with a mean age at presentation of 52 yrs (range: 19-83 yrs).
It can have an indolent clinical course without symptoms or change for years. The average tumor size is 1.7 cm and the mas may be present from 2 months to 15 years. Pain is a frequent presenting complaint.
Aggressive surgical re-resection or amputation if necessary to avoid local recurrence.

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A 22 year old woman with a large tibial mass

Case Identification
Case ID Number: 
03252009a
Benign/Malignant: 
Benign
Clinical case information
Case presentation: 

A case sent for consulation. A 22 year old woman presents with a 1-year history of leg pain. No other clinical data are available.

Radiological findings:: 
A large surface based lesion projects from the posterior and proximal tibia. There is a gradual and mature looking expansion of the posterior cortex of the tibia, which appears to be of long standing. From this cortex projects the mass, very heavily calcified, with a somewhat varigated pattern of calcification, with some ring or round shaped lucent areas.
Laboratory results:: 
None available
Differential Diagnosis: 
Exostosis, exostosis with associated low-grade chondrosarcoma, periosteal osteosarcoma, parosteal osteosarcoma.
Further Work Up Needed:: 
I would recommend a CT scan, and if possible an MRI. The CT scan will show the relationship of the lesion to the bone, and as you may know, the specific appearance of the junction between the lesion and the bone will allow the diagnosis to be made with a high degree of certainty.
Pathology results:: 
None available
Treatment Options:: 
Clearly, removal is needed. This is a very difficult place to operate, and a very large tumor, I recommend this patient be operated by a very experienced surgeon or team of surgeons, if that is possible.
Special Features of this Case:: 
A lesion of exceptionally large size.

A banker with a mass in the foot

Case Identification
Case ID Number: 
20090722BM
Benign/Malignant: 
unknown
Clinical case information
Case presentation: 

The patient is a very pleasant 45-year-old banker who has noticed a mass in the right foot for approximately 6 months.

Radiological findings:: 
On oncologic examination, the overall status, and regional status of the lesion is assessed. There is a palpable lymph node in the right inguinal ligament area, and no lymphadenopathy in the right popliteal fossa. No central lymphadenopathy is noted. There is no café au lait spot, or other unusual skin lesion. The patient does not appear chronically ill or cachectic. In the foot, there is a firm, somewhat tender, deep, fairly sizable mass that surrounds the neck of the distal portion of the fifth metatarsal, spreading into the interspace between the fourth and the fifth metatarsal. The dorsal side of the foot is slightly swollen. There is slight lifting up of the lateral border of the foot because of the bulk of the mass. The overlying skin circulation as well as the neurologic findings are normal. There is no definite Tinel's sign but the mass is quite tender and percussing the mass does cause pain. The plain radiographs of the foot show a few foci of calcification within the mass. Click on the images to see larger views. MRI shows a multiloculated mass surrounding the fifth metatarsal shaft near the distal end. It has grown between the fourth and fifth up into the dorsal portion of the foot and is apparent between the fourth and fifth toes and in the tendinous interspace of the fifth. Click on the images to see larger views. CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis shows bilateral inquinal adenopathy, with multiple small bilateral nodes, but no other finding of concern.

A huge mass in the knee

Case Identification
Case ID Number: 
20090728HM
Benign/Malignant: 
unknown
Clinical case information
Case presentation: 

A 27 year old man who works in a motorcycle shop has a stiff knee and a large, but not very painful mass in his knee. He comes in because he can't bend his knee far enough to do his job.

Image Reference: 
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