Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
Gastrointestinal metastases from primary lung cancer
Akihiro Yoshimoto1, Kazuo Kasahara, Atsuhiro Kawashima
1Department of Internal Medicine, Denentoshi Kosei Hospital, Yamato, and Department of Haematology-Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Cellular Transplantation Biology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Japan. yoshimoto@guitar.ocn.ne.jp
Gastrointestinal metastases are a serious complication of lung cancer, especially large cell carcinoma. Autopsy studies reveal these metastases can be life-threatening, highlighting the need for awareness in lung cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
- Gastrointestinal involvement is an under-recognized complication of advanced lung cancer.
- Understanding the patterns of gastrointestinal metastases is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of gastrointestinal metastases in patients with primary lung cancer.
- To determine if specific histological subtypes of lung cancer are associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal metastases.
- To assess the clinical significance and potential life-threatening nature of these metastases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective autopsy-based study over 33 years.
- Inclusion of 470 patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer.
- Review of gastrointestinal metastases in the stomach, small bowel, and large bowel.
Main Results:
- Gastrointestinal metastases were identified in 56 (11.9%) of 470 lung cancer patients.
- Large cell carcinoma showed a significantly higher rate of gastrointestinal metastases (30%) compared to non-large cell carcinoma (P=0.004).
- Twelve cases (21.4%) of gastrointestinal metastases were life-threatening, with five occurring in large cell carcinoma patients.
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal metastases are a significant clinical event in primary lung cancer.
- Large cell carcinoma is a key histological subtype associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal metastases.
- These metastases can be life-threatening, necessitating clinical vigilance and further research.
