[Blue toe syndrome as an initial manifestation of metastatic prostate cancer : A case report with literature review]

Rev Med Interne. 2022 Sep;43(9):562-565. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2022.04.017. Epub 2022 May 25.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous and vascular manifestations of cancer are numerous. Among paraneoplastic acral vascular syndrome, we report a case of blue toe syndrome as the first manifestation of a prostate cancer following with analysis of this syndrome according literature.

Observation: A 56-year-old man, with Raynaud's phenomenon of the upper limbs for 2 to 3 years, had 4 blue toes of the left foot evolving for 18 months, without ulceration, the pulses being present. Vascular and cardiac explorations (ultrasound, angio-MRI) were normal. There was no biological or immunological abnormality except an elevated PSA level. Prostate biopsies confirmed diagnosis and abdomino-pelvic CT scan proved the bone and lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion: The revelation of a prostate cancer with bone metastases by a blue toe syndrome is a rare situation. In a patient with a blue toe syndrome with no obvious clinical or biological abnormality, especially atheromatous, investigations should include a search for cancer, which can be revealed by blue toes.

Keywords: Blue toe syndrome; Cancer; Metastasis; Métastase; Orteil bleu; Prostate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blue Toe Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Blue Toe Syndrome* / etiology
  • Bone Neoplasms* / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / adverse effects