Splenic Metastasis from Carcinoma of the Colon without Any Other Distant Metastases: Report of a Case

Takayuki Mizoi, Akio Ouchi, Kenichi Shiiba, Seiki Matsuno

First Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tohoku University

We report a case of splenic metastasis from colonic carcinoma without any other distant metastasis. The patient was a 60-year-old man. He was admitted to our hospital for diagnosis of ascending colon carcinoma accompanied by a splenic tumor. By various imaging examinations, it was difficult to tell whether the splenic tumor was primary or metastatic. On laparotomy, it was diagnosed as metastatic carcinoma by paraoperative histologic examination. A right hemicolectomy and splenectomy was performed. The serum CEA level again rose above the normal limit nine months after the operation, but no evidence of recurrence was clinically found about one year after surgery. Splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is unusual, and there are only six cases of splenic metastasis without any other distant metastasis. The route of spread of carcinoma to the spleen is uncertain. The hematogenious route of splenic metastasis has been suggested, and it is possible that this was the route in our patient. Some studies reveal that a good outcome can be expected if the solitary splenic metastasis can be completely resected. Therefore, we consider important early diagnosis and resection.

Key words
splenic metastasis, colonic carcinoma

Reprint requests
Takayuki Mizoi First Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tohoku University
1-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980 JAPAN

Accepted
June 5, 1991

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