Successful resection of colonic metastasis of lung cancer after colonic stent placement: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although lung cancer can metastasize to various organs such as the liver, lymph nodes, adrenal gland, bone, and brain, metastases to the digestive organs, especially the colon, are rare. CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old man diagnosed with lung cancer received radiation and chemoimmunotherapy, resulting in a complete clinical response. One year after the initial lung cancer diagnosis, the patient presented with obstructive ileus caused by a tumor in the descending colon. An elective left hemicolectomy was successfully performed after the endoscopic placement of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS). Pathologically, the tumor of the descending colon was diagnosed as lung cancer metastasis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient is in good condition 13 mo after surgery, with no signs of recurrence. The previous 23 cases of surgical resection of colonic metastasis from lung cancer were reviewed using PubMed to characterize their clinicopathological features and outcomes. CONCLUSION: SEMS is useful for obstructive colonic metastasis as a bridge to surgery to avoid emergency operations.