Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Pathologic Femoral Fracture: A Rare Initial Manifestation

Pancreatic tail cancers often manifest with vague, nonspecific symptoms, contributing to delayed diagnosis. Bone metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma is uncommon, and presentation with a pathologic fracture is especially atypical. We present the case of a 62-year-old man with obesity, long-standing tobacco use, and regular alcohol consumption who developed an atraumatic femoral fracture. Imaging revealed a destructive lytic lesion in the femur and a pancreatic tail mass with pulmonary nodules. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy established the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The patient had an open reduction fixation by orthopedic surgery followed by oncology referral for systemic therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering occult malignancy in atypical fractures and highlights that gastrointestinal malignancies, though infrequent, can metastasize to bone. Early recognition may facilitate prompt diagnosis and improve multidisciplinary management.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-01-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.100772
Primary Topic
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Pathologic Femoral Fracture: A Rare Initial Manifestation

Robert S. Mocharnuk, Genan Arman, Matt Demir
Cureus
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
article

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Pathologic Femoral Fracture: A Rare Initial Manifestation

Robert S. Mocharnuk, Genan Arman, Matt Demir
article en

Abstract

Pancreatic tail cancers often manifest with vague, nonspecific symptoms, contributing to delayed diagnosis. Bone metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma is uncommon, and presentation with a pathologic fracture is especially atypical. We present the case of a 62-year-old man with obesity, long-standing tobacco use, and regular alcohol consumption who developed an atraumatic femoral fracture. Imaging revealed a destructive lytic lesion in the femur and a pancreatic tail mass with pulmonary nodules. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy established the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The patient had an open reduction fixation by orthopedic surgery followed by oncology referral for systemic therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering occult malignancy in atypical fractures and highlights that gastrointestinal malignancies, though infrequent, can metastasize to bone. Early recognition may facilitate prompt diagnosis and improve multidisciplinary management.

CureusVol. 18(1)
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 98%
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
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Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Pathologic Femoral Fracture: A Rare Initial Manifestation — Robert S. Mocharnuk, Genan Arman, et al. · Cureus (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS