Subpleural intrapulmonary lymph node metastasis from colorectal cancer

A 67-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of pulmonary metastasis from colo-rectal cancer. Chest computed tomography revealed three tumor shadows just under the pleura. Because the tumors were adjacent to each other, we performed an en bloc pulmonary resection. Pathologically, two of the tumors were diagnosed as pulmonary metastases; the remaining tumor, however, was diagnosed as a subpleural intrapulmonary lymph node (IPLN) metastasis. Metastasis to the IPLN is rare, but when the IPLN is located adjacent to a pulmonary metastasis, as observed in this case, it may be possible.