[A Case of Small Intestinal Metastasis from Lung Cancer]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
• Metastasis of lung cancer to the gastrointestinal tract is rare but can present with diverse symptoms.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Observation:

• An 88-year-old male, previously treated for left lung cancer, presented with abdominal distention, constipation, and severe anemia (Hb 6.1 g/dL).
• Imaging revealed an irregular, contrast-enhancing tumor in the small intestine.
• Laparotomy identified a 5 cm jejunal tumor.

Findings:

• Pathological examination confirmed the jejunal tumor to be a metastasis from the primary lung cancer.
• The patient underwent successful small bowel resection.
• Post-operative follow-up showed no evidence of cancer recurrence after seven months.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering extrathoracic metastasis in lung cancer patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention for gastrointestinal metastases can lead to favorable outcomes.
• Further research into the mechanisms and management of rare lung cancer metastasis sites is warranted.