Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Soft Tissue Metastasis to the Shoulder: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Metastasis to soft tissue is rare, and the pathogenesis remains unclear. Soft tissue metastases (STMs) have varied presentations; existing reports are few. Herein, we report a case of STMs of the shoulder with a rich characterization. Case presentation: A 93-year-old man presented to our hospital with pain and swelling of the left shoulder for one week. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a T1 low-intensity and T2 high-intensity mass. We suspected a primary sarcoma and performed a needle biopsy. However, on histopathological examination, the findings were suggestive of lung adenocarcinoma. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography also revealed FDG accumulation in the right lung, thus confirming the diagnosis. Conclusion: Oncologists should keep in mind that STMs of lung cancer may resemble soft-tissue sarcomas at the time of initial diagnosis.