Isolated splenic metastases from rectal carcinoma 5 years after surgery: Case report

Splenic malignancies are mostly lymphocytic tumors and splenic metastases are rarer.([1]) According to reports, the most common source of splenic metastases include melanoma, tumors of the breast, lung, ovary, colon, stomach, and pancreas.([2,3]) PATIENT CONCERNS: This paper reports a 41-year-old male patient who underwent a successful resection of low rectal cancer in our hospital 5 years ago. DIAGNOSIS: Three months ago, computed tomography scan revealed a tumor in the spleen, considered as an isolated metastasis. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent splenectomy and postoperative pathological examination confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma. OUTCOMES: The patient was followed up for 3 months after surgery, there was no abdominal metastasis or recurrence. CONCLUSION: The splenic metastasis from rectal carcinoma 5 years after surgery is rare. If it is a solitary splenic metastasis, splenectomy can effectively improve the prognosis of patients. We review the literature and report this case.