Facial skin metastasis of colorectal cancer: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Liver and lungs are common locations of distant metastases of colorectal cancer. Skin metastases of colorectal cancer are very rare, and facial lesions are extremely uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: An anterior resection of the rectum was performed for rectal cancer T3N0M0G3. A small ulcer on the upper lip developed 3.5 years after primary operation. Metastasis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed histologically, and local excision was performed. At the same time, a solitary metastasis in the right lung was diagnosed, and the right lower lobectomy was performed. No other metastasis or local recurrences were observed during the next 7 months. CONCLUSION: Skin metastases in the face from colorectal cancer are very rare and may indicate tumour relapse several years after primary resection. These patients have a worse prognosis.