Case report
Skull destruction from intracranial metastasis arising from pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
1 University of Newcastle Bachelor of Medicine Program, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
2 North West Cancer Centre, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Johnston St, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2013, 7:28 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-7-28
Published: 24 January 2013Abstract
Introduction
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung represents 30% of all non-small cell lung carcinomas. It arises from dysplasia of squamous epithelium of the bronchi and is strongly associated with cigarette smoking. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is known to produce metastases in the brain parenchyma.
Case presentation
We present the case of an 80-year-old indigenous Australian man with an unusual presentation of metastatic carcinoma of the lung. The case demonstrated a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with an intracranial metastatic lesion destroying the parietal bone and extending into the extracranial soft tissue. A visible deformity as a result of the metastasis was evident on physical examination and computed tomography demonstrated extensive bone destruction.
Conclusion
The authors were unable to find a case of this occurring from a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung anywhere in the world literature. The case report demonstrates an unusual disease presentation with a rare intracranial metastasis invading through the skull.
