Metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presenting with small bowel obstruction

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Sep 17;17(9):e261080. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2024-261080.

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal solid organ malignancies. Metastasis commonly spreads to the liver, adrenal glands and bone. We report a case of a male patient who presented with an 8 week history of cramping abdominal pain and vomiting. Subsequent investigation revealed evidence of an obstructing small bowel lesion. He underwent a small bowel resection. Histopathology revealed evidence of lung adenocarcinoma as the likely primary disease. Although metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma to the small bowel is rare, early recognition may prevent potentially life-threatening sequelae including bowel perforation and peritonitis.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Gastrointestinal surgery; General surgery; Lung cancer (oncology); Surgical oncology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma* / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma* / secondary
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / etiology
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / surgery
  • Intestine, Small* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed