Metastatic tumors to the spleen: a 25-year clinicopathologic study

Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosing of focal spleen lesions

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the features of focal spleen lesions (FSLs) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CEUS with a blot injection of SonoVue was performed in 48 patients with 75 FSLs (median diameter 2.6cm) and their perfusion characteristics were analyzed by using contrast pulse sequences (CPS) technique.

RESULTS

Among 19 malignant lesions (10 metastases, 7 lymphoma, 1 hemangiosarcoma, 1 epithelioid hemangioendothelioma) and 56 benign lesion (23 hemangiomas, 14 cysts, 8 infarctions, 4 splenic ruptures, 3 tuberculosis, 2 abscess, 1 pseudoaneurysm, 1 lymphangioma), 25 benign lesions were demonstrated nonenhancement. For malignancy, 50.0% (5/10) metastases and 57.1% (4/7) lymphomas were showed hypoenhancement in the arterial phase, and 18 (94.7%) of malignant lesions were hypo-enhancement in the parenchymal phase. Among 31 benign lesions with enhancement, 27 (87.1%) were showed isoenhancement or hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and 22 (71.0%) lesions were isoenhancement or hyperenhancement in the parenchymal phase. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of diagnosis for FSLs were 91.1%, 95.0% and 92.0% for CEUS and 75.0%, 84.2% and 77.3% respectively, for the conventional baseline ultrasound (BUS).

CONCLUSION

Real-time CEUS can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of FSLs.

Isolated splenic metastasis from colorectal cancer

Splenic metastases are unusual, arising in less than 1% of all metastases. Isolated solitary splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is considered exceptional. This rarity has been explained by several hypotheses relating to the anatomical, histological, and immunological features of the spleen. We review the reported cases of isolated solitary splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options for this entity. We searched the English-language medical literature, using the Medline and Pubmed databases from January 1966 through July 2010, for articles reporting isolated splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma. Only 26 cases have been reported; four cases had synchronous splenic metastasis. Fifteen patients had regional lymph node involvement on diagnosis of primary carcinoma. The primary tumor was located in the left colon or in the rectum in 18 cases. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was elevated in 73% of cases. All patients underwent curative splenectomy; only one patient had laparoscopic resection of the spleen. Mean reported survival interval was 19.5 months; only three patients were deceased at last follow-up. Solitary splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is very rare; clinicians are advised to pay close attention when routinely evaluating patients with serial CEA levels and abdominal scans. Splenectomy seems to be the preferred treatment modality with improvement of long-term survival. However, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from the small number of case reports available.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with splenic and cystic liver metastases in a pediatric patient: 18F-FDG PET-CT findings

Pediatric nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare and usually poorly differentiated. We report a 14-year-old boy with NPC with metastases to liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. The liver metastases closely resembled benign cystic liver disease on imaging; however, they showed intense uptake similar to other metastatic sites on positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A liver biopsy could not be performed on the boy. The boy responded clinically to platinum-based chemotherapy, and all the baseline PET-positive lesions became negative. This case highlights the rarity of splenic and cystic liver metastases in pediatric NPC and demonstrates the potential use of PET/CT in diagnosis, staging and response assessment in metastatic pediatric NPC.

Primary and secondary neoplasms of the spleen

With the exception of lymphoma involving the spleen, other primary and secondary neoplasms are rare and infrequently encountered. Primary malignant neoplasms involving the spleen are lymphoma and angiosarcoma. Primary benign neoplasms involving the spleen include hemangioma, lymphangioma, littoral cell angioma and splenic cyst and solid lesions such as hamartoma and inflammatory pseudotumor.

A report of laryngeal adenocystic carcinoma metastatic to the spleen and the role of splenectomy in the management of metastatic disease: a case report

Introduction

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the larynx is a rare malignancy characterized by an indolent course and late pulmonary metastases. Metastases from the larynx to the spleen are an unusual event. In the present report, we discuss a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx metastatic to the spleen. A review of the literature did not yield any other such incidents. We review the clinical presentation and course of adenoid cystic carcinoma, as well as the role of splenectomy for metastases.

Case presentation

We present a case of laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma in a 26-year-old Caucasian man treated with total laryngectomy and ionizing radiation. He initially developed asynchronous pulmonary metastases, which were resected. Our patient subsequently presented with a symptomatic splenic lesion consistent with metastatic disease, for which he underwent laparoscopic splenectomy.

Conclusions

Splenectomy might be indicated for isolated metastases. A splenectomy effectively addresses symptoms and serves as a cytoreduction modality.

A case of metachronous splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma after 14 years

We present a case of a patient who developed a metachronous splenic metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma, for which he has undergone a left nephrectomy 14 years earlier. During his routine follow up a CT scan showed a splenic mass which was considered an isolated metastasis possibly originating from the renal cancer. A splenectomy was performed and histopatological examination of the spleen confirmed the presence of clear cell carcinoma with infiltration of the capsule. Splenic metastases are uncommon and from the reported literature we understand that splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare. The optimal treatment seems to be splenectomy with a good long term outcome. With this report the authors would like to discuss the possibility that it could be a case of local recurrence rather than a real metastasis. A revision of previous reports in the literature is performed too.

Primary signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: case report and review of the literature

Endometrial adenocarcinoma presenting with deep venous thrombosis is an exceptional event more typical of extra-mullerian primary tumors. Metastases to the spleen are also unusual in this setting. In addition, primary endometrial adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell features has been reported only once. This study describes a case of primary endometrial carcinoma with prominent signet-ring cell features that presented in an unusual manner: with bilateral deep vein thromboses and splenic metastases. It is important for clinicians and pathologists to be aware of this entity; it may have an atypical clinical presentation and the histologic features raise a spectrum of differential diagnoses.

Intraparenchymal metastases to the spleen from ovarian cancer: a case report

Introduction

Splenic tumors are rare and present a diagnostic dilemma. Metastatic carcinoma to the spleen is unusual. Visceral metastases in patients with ovarian cancer represent hematogenous spread of the disease; capsular involvement resulting from serosal and peritoneal seeding is more common. We present a patient with intraparenchymal splenic metastasis from ovarian carcinoma. This case demonstrates a rare etiology of an intraparenchymal solid splenic mass.

Case presentation

An 85-year-old woman presented with left upper quadrant pain. During her evaluation, a computed tomography scan revealed intraparenchymal splenic masses. An elective splenectomy was performed, during which ovarian cancer, which had not been revealed by the pre-operative computed tomography, was detected. There was no involvement of the splenic capsule by direct extension of the tumor, as is usually the case for ovarian cancer, but only intraparenchymal metastases. This mode of metastasis to the spleen has been described but is quite rare, and ovarian cancer presenting as a splenic mass is even more so.

Conclusion

Splenic metastasis is a relatively rare event. It is often asymptomatic and is usually detected as part of multiorgan metastases. Symptomatic cases, though rare, do occur, and as in our patient, a thorough clinical evaluation is important to help direct the treatment plan. This case is a reminder to be cognizant of one of the less likely differential diagnoses of an intraparenchymal solid splenic mass.

Solitary splenic metastasis from early gastric cancer: report of a case

Solitary metastasis of a malignancy to the spleen is rare. We herein describe a case of splenic metastasis from early gastric cancer. A 76-year-old man underwent an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric carcinoma in the cardia. Pathologically, the tumor showed invasion into the submucosal layer, and the stump of the surgical specimen appeared to be positive for malignant cells. He thus underwent a proximal gastrectomy with nodal dissection. One year later, serum carcinoembryonic antigen was elevated, and a splenic mass was detected by computed tomography and ultrasonography. Because the tumor increased in size very gradually and no metastatic lesions were detected at the other sites, we performed a splenectomy. The lesion was pathologically diagnosed as metastasis from the previous gastric carcinoma, and the patient remains healthy to date without recurrence, more than 2 years after the splenectomy. When solitary metastasis to the spleen is suspected during the postoperative follow-up of a patient with gastric cancer, a splenectomy is a potentially effective treatment.

Solitary giant splenic metastasis in a patient with metachronous gastric cancers

Splenic metastases from solid tumors are uncommon. They may be observed in a context of multivisceral dissemination or as a solitary lesion. We report the case of an 80-year-old woman with a history of two metachronous gastric cancers treated with distal gastrectomy and resection of the gastric remnant within a period of 15 years, who presented with a huge splenic tumor mass three years after the second operation. Splenectomy was performed. The resection specimens showed a well-circumscribed solid lesion measuring 15 cm in the largest diameter. Histology revealed metastatic gastric cancer. The differential diagnosis and clinical significance of this rare condition is discussed.

Spleen migrating dendritic cells primed with CC531 colon cancer antigen and LPS - is it a method to compromise liver metastases?

The anti-tumor vaccination is burdened by low recruitment rate of intravenously administered in vitro primed DC in liver metastases and lack of supplying them continuously in large numbers. Therefore, it seemed rational to create a model of in vivo vaccination with specifically primed splenic DC and cytotoxic T lymphocytes being continuously supplied to the liver vascular bed. The question we raised was whether anti-tumor immunized splenic DC flowing to liver metastases could adhere to and be cytotoxic to tumor cells. We immunized rats with CC531 tumor cells and stimulated them with Escherichia coli LPS. Subsequently, spleen DC-enriched population was isolated, its activation by LPS, adherence to CC531 cells and cytotoxicity were measured. Spleen cells home to the liver reaching it via splenic vein. These cells can be retrieved by simple washout of liver sinusoids (liver sinusoidal washout cells - LSWC). Their adherence to and cytotoxicity against CC531 cells were evaluated. Moreover, in vitro adherence of splenic DC-enriched cells and LSWC to CC531 liver tumor sections was measured. We found that in vivo immunization of splenic population containing DC, NK cells and lymphocytes with CC531 cells and stimulation with LPS activated these cells but did not significantly increase the cytotoxicity against CC531 cells. There was also no increase in cytotoxicity of LSWC. Adhesion of splenic DC and LWSC to liver CC531 metastases on cryosections was higher than to the adjacent liver tissue. However, it was more expressed on tumor stromal than neoplastic cells. The level of splenic Treg cells down-regulating immune response was found only slightly increased after immunization. Taken together, in the model of in vivo immunization against CC531 cells, low level of spleen DC and spleen-derived LSWC cytotoxicity as well as adherence rate to tumor cells were observed. More effective methods of immunizing splenic DC overcoming the suppressive mechanisms should be looked for.

Solitary splenic metastasis of ovarian carcinoma: report of two cases

Capsular splenic metastasis from ovarian cancer, which is associated with peritoneal spread, is not uncommon. Conversely, solitary involvement of the splenic parenchymal is unusual, and secondary debulking may improve the prognosis if there is no sign of residual disease. Thus, splenectomy is indicated for this type of isolated splenic metastasis. We report two cases of successful splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis of ovarian carcinoma and review the relevant literature.

Metastatic disease to the pancreas and spleen

Isolated metastases to the pancreas and spleen are a rare occurrence. When they are diagnosed, pancreatic metastases are most often from renal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. The most common source of splenic metastases is gynecological in origin; the overwhelming majority is ovarian. If extensive staging studies reveal these metastases to be isolated, then curative resection may be warranted. This review will demonstrate that long-term survival may be achieved in patients with isolated metastases and a prolonged disease-free interval.

Splenic metastases: clinicopathologic presentation, differential diagnosis, and pathogenesis

CONTEXT

Splenic metastases from solid tumors, defined as parenchymal lesion, are considered exceptional. Nevertheless, the number of case reports has been increasing due to the improvement of imaging techniques and the long-term follow-up of patients with cancer. Splenic metastases occur in a context of multivisceral disseminated cancer or as a solitary lesion.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a general overview of the clinicopathologic features, differential diagnosis, and pathogenesis of splenic metastases.

DATA SOURCES

Relevant articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) database. The search was based on the following terms: (metastasis or metastases) and spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common primary sources of splenic metastasis are breast, lung, colorectal, and ovarian carcinomas and melanoma in cases of multivisceral cancer and colorectal and ovarian carcinomas in cases of solitary splenic lesion. Splenectomy can be replaced by less aggressive methods such as fine-needle aspiration or percutaneous biopsy for establishing the diagnosis of solitary splenic metastasis. The main differential diagnoses are primary lymphoma, vascular tumors, and infectious lesions of the spleen. The relative rarity of splenic metastases could be explained by anatomic factors and the inhibitory effect of the splenic microenvironment on the growth of metastatic cells. The analysis of clinical case reports suggests that solitary splenic metastases may result from the growth of an early blood-borne micrometastasis following a period of clinical latency, often several years after the diagnosis of the primary tumor.

Splenic Rupture, Beyond and Behind: A Histological, Morphometric and Follow-Up Study of 254 Cases

OBJECTIVE

Population-based data regarding splenic rupture causes are sparse. To systematically characterize histology and morphometry of splenic rupture, we performed a retrospective clinicopathological study of 254 patients.

METHODS

Our electronic data base was reviewed and all splenic rupture cases were morphologically, morphometrically and, where needed, molecularly analyzed. Clinical and follow-up data were gained by reviewing patient charts. A formula to calculate splenic volume based on size was established and results were compared to the actual volumes.

RESULTS

Ruptured spleens presented 0.1% of all gross surgical pathology specimens. Nearly 90% were due to trauma and approximately 10% were pathologic, being associated with underlying diseases (5% with unexpected diseases) such as splenic angiomas, granulomatous diseases, infarctions, hepatopathies, cysts, hemorrhagic diatheses, hematological neoplasms, metastatic carcinoma and collagenosis. Men were more often affected than women. Morphometric analysis showed distinct splenic weights, volumes and capsule thicknesses with respect to the different rupture causes. Pathological ruptures were predominantly observed in elderly, male patients with larger spleens.

CONCLUSIONS

Splenic rupture is due to an often unexpected underlying disease in approximately 10% of the cases. This should be kept in mind when dealing with susceptible patient groups.

Multiple lesions of the spleen: differential diagnosis of cystic and solid lesions

Lesions in the spleen may be encountered in a variety of clinical settings ranging from asymptomatic patients to patients who are critically ill. Etiologies for multifocal splenic lesions include infectious and inflammatory processes, primary vascular and lymphoid neoplasms, metastatic disease, vascular processes, and systemic diseases. There is often overlap in the imaging appearance alone, so the clinical setting is very helpful in differential diagnosis. In the immunocompromised patient, multiple small splenic lesions usually represent disseminated fungal disease and microabscesses. The spleen is a relatively rare site for metastatic disease; patients with metastatic lesions in the spleen usually have disease in other sites as well. Breast, lung, ovary, melanoma, and colon cancer are common primary tumors that metastasize to the spleen. Vascular neoplasms of the spleen represent the majority of the nonhematologic/nonlymphoid neoplasms and commonly produce multifocal lesions. Splenic infarcts may be seen with localized processes such as portal hypertension or pancreatitis, or may arise from an embolic source. Radiologists should be aware of the spectrum of processes that may involve the spleen and the clinical context in which they occur.

[Splenic metastasis from a bronchial carcinoma]

INTRODUCTION

Isolated splenic metastases from a bronchial carcinoma, without other visceral metastatic involvement, are exceptionally uncommon.

CASE REPORT

The authors report the finding of an isolated splenic metastasis 21 months after a left pneumonectomy for an undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, initially staged pT3N1M0. The splenic metastasis presented as a major deterioration in general health and sharp pains in the left hypochondrium. Splenectomy confirmed the metastatic nature of the splenic tumour and relieved the severe abdominal pains. Two years after the splenectomy and with out adjuvant treatment the patient remains in complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Splenectomy for a metastasis from a bronchial carcinoma should avoid the later complications of this type of metastasis: severe abdominal pain, splenic rupture and compression of neighbouring vessels. If the bronchial carcinoma is controlled locally and the splenic metastasis is isolated, splenectomy offers, perhaps, a further chance of prolonged survival.

Splenic metastases in a large unselected autopsy series

We analyzed the files of all autopsies performed at the Institute of Pathology of the Philipps-University Marburg between 1980 and 1999 with respect to the presence of splenic metastasis. The total number of autopsies within the study period was 8,563. In 1,898 cases, a solid malignant tumor (1,774 carcinomas, 36 sarcomas, 27 malignant melanomas) was diagnosed. Metastasis to the spleen occurred in 57 cases (3.0%). Compared to the whole study population, patients with splenic metastasis were significantly younger (59 years vs. 67 years, p<0.05) and had significantly more metastastic sites (median: 6 vs. median:1, p<0.05). This underlines the assumption that splenic metastasis is associated with a worse prognosis. Lung cancer, cutaneous malignant melanoma, and breast cancer were the most frequent primary tumors, accounting for 24.6%, 15.8%, and 12.3% of all spleen metastases, respectively. Patients with testicular germ cell tumors (patients: 9, spleen metastasis: 4), malignant melanoma (patients: 27, spleen metastasis: 9, 33%), and small cell lung cancer (patients: 106, spleen metastasis: 8, 7.5%) had the highest frequency of splenic involvement. Most (n=48) metastases were detected macroscopically, the remaining ones were micrometastases (n=2), small tumor cell clusters, and single tumor cells within sinusoids (n=7). The present study underlines the importance of spleen metastasis as an indicator of poor prognosis. There are, however, various aspects as to the detection and morphology of spleen metastasism, which merit further scrutiny.

Splenic metastases from cervical carcinoma: a case report

Splenic metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is an unusual event in the natural history of the disease. The authors report one such uncommon occurrence in a 41-year-old female who presented initially with cervical carcinoma (stage IIB) and was treated with radical radiotherapy with concurrent weekly chemotherapy. Following a disease-free interval of less than a year, she developed hepatosplenic metastases despite being locally controlled. The literature relevant to the report is also discussed. This report reaffirms the notion that splenic metastases from cervical carcinoma are rare events but can occur as part of widespread dissemination.

Splenic metastasis from esophageal cancer: report of a case

The spleen is an unusual site of metastasis from an esophageal malignancy. We herein report the case of a 25-year-old woman who underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus with pN1 lymph node metastasis. Fifteen months following surgery she was found to have splenic metastasis infiltrating the tail of the pancreas at the hilum. A splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and resection of the splenic flexure with colocolic anastomosis were performed. A histological examination of the resected specimen showed squamous cell carcinoma.

Angiosarcoma of the spleen clinically presenting as metastatic ovarian cancer. A case report and review of the literature

Primary angiosarcomas of the spleen are rare and almost always fatal. With no more than 200 cases reported in the literature worldwide, no specific risk factors are strongly associated with the disease. The mean age of patients at presentation is 59 years and the major clinical findings include abdominal pain, splenic rupture, and splenomegaly. Grossly, this neoplasm appears as hemorrhagic and/or cystic nodules, with a low-density signal seen on computed tomographic scans. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by neoplastic proliferation with diffuse or focal areas of a vasoformative component with cavernous and arborizing channels. The vascular spaces are lined by endothelial cells with variable degree of atypia. The differential diagnosis includes a variety of benign and malignant vascular proliferations (littoral cell angioma and Kaposi's sarcoma) as well as metastatic tumors. The worst prognostic factor is splenic rupture with early metastasis. The liver is the most common site. We report a case of the 43-year-old woman with a long-standing history of recurrent ovarian carcinoma treated with surgery and multiple courses of radiation therapy and chemotherapy who clinically appeared to have a metastatic ovarian cancer to the spleen and treated with partial resection of stomach and splenectomy. However, histopathologic examination of the specimen showed the tumor to be of a primary angiosarcoma. We believe that the lengthy exposure to radiation may have played a role in the histopathogenesis of this neoplasm in this patient.

Splenic rupture: a rare presentation of pancreatic carcinoma

CONTEXT

Splenic rupture secondary to solid malignancy is an infrequent complication that usually occurs late in the progression of a previously diagnosed cancer. In rare instances, splenic rupture precipitates the discovery of an unsuspected pancreatic carcinoma. We report 2 cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in which the patients presented with splenic rupture.

OBJECTIVES

To review the clinicopathologic features of splenic rupture due to pancreatic carcinoma and to increase awareness of malignancy as a possible etiology for atraumatic splenic rupture.

DESIGN

We reviewed the clinical and pathologic data from 2 patients. A literature search was conducted to identify previous reports of splenic rupture associated with pancreatic cancer. We summarized the characteristics of the earlier cases and compared them with those of our patients.

RESULTS

We found only 4 previous reports of splenic rupture preceding the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In 3 of these cases, the pancreatic carcinoma grossly invaded the spleen at the time of resection. In contrast, malignancy was not suspected as the etiology of the rupture in our patients until histologic examination of the resected spleen revealed carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Splenic rupture is an unusual presentation of cancer of the pancreas, and to our knowledge only 4 cases have been reported previously in the literature. Although an underlying malignancy is relatively rare, spleens resected for atraumatic rupture should be carefully examined for possible neoplastic etiologies.

Littoral cell angioma presenting as metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the spleen

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) commonly metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes. Distant metastases are unusual with the lungs most frequently involved. Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma very rarely presents with metastases to the spleen. This is the case of a 25-year-old man with a history of PTC (1.4 cm primary; no capsular invasion and negative lymph node metastases). One year after initial surgery, recurrent disease was found in multiple neck nodes by central neck dissection. Whole body scan (WBS) following a therapeutic ablation dose of 150 mCi I(131) revealed mediastinal metastases. Computerized axial tomography (CT) of the chest one year later showed no gross mediastinal or pulmonary disease. However, multiple large splenic lesions were incidentally noted. Evaluation by ultrasound (US) showed lesions to be solid echogenic masses without remarkable Doppler characteristics to suggest vascular tumors. US-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of one lesion was nondiagnostic. After withdrawal from Levothyroxine, serum TSH was >100 mU/L with a thyroglobulin of 9.4 ng/mL and negative anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Diagnostic WBS revealed faint splenic uptake but was otherwise unremarkable. Following treatment with 192 mCi I(131), WBS demonstrated increased activity in the mediastinum as well as in the spleen suggesting mediastinal and splenic metastases. Contrast CT of the abdomen showed multiple low-attenuated heterogeneously enhancing splenic masses, normal liver and no intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. The largest mass (4.5 x 3.5 cm) was exophytic and in close proximity to the splenic capsule. Despite the serum thyroglobulin of only 9.4 ng/mL, the finding of I(131) accumulation within solid splenic masses led to a preoperative diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma metastases. To establish the diagnosis and to remove the risk for splenic rupture, a laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Histopathologic analysis showed large littoral cell angiomas (LCA). False-positive radioiodine scintigraphy in the setting of PTC involving a vertebral hemangioma has been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case that describes multiple angiomas mimicking metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the spleen. In one-third of all cases reported, LCA co-exists with various visceral organ cancers or malignant lymphoma. This is the first report of an association between LCA and thyroid carcinoma.

Isolated splenic metastasis from primary lung adenocarcinoma

Metastatic disease involving the spleen is uncommon, and isolated metastasis to the spleen is extremely rare. Most patients with splenic metastases have widely disseminated metastatic disease. A current literature review shows the incidence of isolated splenic metastasis ranges from 0 to 26% of all patients with splenic metastases. The reported primary malignancies of patients with splenic metastases include lung, colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, thyroid, pancreatic, gastric cancers, and, most commonly, melanoma. Although most patients with splenic metastases are clinically asymptomatic for splenic lesions, there have been reports of painful splenomegaly, splenic vein thrombosis, and splenic rupture, making diagnosis and consideration of prompt therapeutic intervention important. The time from diagnosis of a primary lung tumor to the discovery of splenic metastases ranges from 0 to 8 years in the literature. We report a rare case of an asymptomatic, isolated splenic metastasis in a 72-year-old man diagnosed 25 months after resection of an adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Solitary recurrent metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in the spleen: case report

In cervical squamous cell carcinoma, solitary metastasis to and recurrence in the parenchyma of the spleen are uncommon in the absence of apparent disease in other sites. A case of a 50-year-old patient with a Stage IIa carcinoma of the cervix treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by radiotherapy is reported. Serial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen measurements have been performed for monitoring the course of disease, response to treatment, and detection of tumor recurrence. Recurrent disease was initially suspected on the basis of an elevated SCC level, 7.11 microg/ml (normal, < 1.5 microg/ml), subsequently confirmed by computed tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. Laparoscopic splenectomy followed by chemotherapy with cisplatin was performed. The SCC antigen level was within normal limits postoperatively. The patient was well and clinically free of disease for 5 months.

Acute, complete splenic infarction in cancer patient is associated with a fatal outcome

Splenic infarction frequently occurs in patients with myeloproliferative diseases, endocarditis, and sickle cell anemia. Various sonographic patterns of splenic infarction do exist. but little is known about tumor associated splenic infarction in cancer patients. Between January 1992 and December 2002, 66 patients were diagnosed with splenic infarction by color Doppler sonography (CDS). Ten patients had an underlying solid cancer. Clinical and sonographic data of cancer patients were evaluated retrospectively with regard to age, sex, frequency of thrombotic episodes, splenic size, echomorphology and vascularity of splenic lesions, and follow-up examination. The median age was 53 years (range, 16-73 years). Nine of 10 patients had abdominal metastases, four had evidence of a hypercoagulable state, five had a small spleen (< 7 x 3 cm), and seven had acute complete infarction of the spleen without hilar and parenchymal vessels on CDS. Survival of six patients with acute complete infarction ranged from 1 to 30 days. In cancer patients with splenic infarction, an acute complete infarction is the most common pattern. It is caused predominantly by a hypercoagulable state and is associated with an extremely short survival.

Pathologic splenic rupture: an unusual presentation of pancreatic cancer

Pathologic splenic rupture is an uncommon finding associated with a long list of pathologic conditions including infectious diseases, hematologic diseases, metabolic disorders, drug therapy, primary and secondary benign or malignant splenic tumors, acute or chronic pancreatitis, collagen disorders, pregnancy, and others. In this report we present a case of pathologic splenic rupture caused by direct invasion from a previously undiagnosed pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma.

Splenic rupture as a consequence of dual malignant pathology: a case report

A 76 year old woman presented acutely with non-traumatic splenic rupture, which was successfully treated by emergency splenectomy. Histological examination of the spleen revealed the coexistence of metastatic adenocarcinoma cells, together with low grade B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Splenic rupture as a consequence of malignant disease is discussed, together with a brief review of the literature.

Method for quantitation of dynamic MRI contrast agent uptake in colorectal liver metastases

PURPOSE

To investigate the reproducibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in colorectal liver metastases using a vascular normalization function (VNF) from pixels in the spleen and to compare this with a technique using an arterial input function (AIF) from pixels in the aorta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DCE-MRI with gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) was performed in patients with colorectal liver metastases. The VNF and AIF were determined using an automated algorithm. The average Gd-DTPA uptake rate (k(ep)) was calculated for the metastases using a physiological pharmacokinetic model. The protocol was repeated on a second day to calculate the repeatability coefficient of the measurements of k(ep).

RESULTS

Using the VNF from the spleen the overall mean k(ep) of the two sessions for 11 patients was 0.033 per second and the repeatability coefficient was 0.009 per second. Using the AIF from the aorta these values were 0.031 per second and 0.028 per second, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The mean Gd-DTPA uptake rate using a VNF taken from the spleen can be determined with adequate reproducibility in colorectal liver metastases. The use of a VNF from pixels in the spleen is better than an AIF from pixels in the aorta in terms of reproducibility, and is recommended when this DCE-MRI technique is used for prediction and monitoring of therapy outcome in colorectal liver metastases.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma of spleen diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration

Splenic metastases are infrequent, and determination of the primary site by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) can be complex. We report the case of a 65-year-old man who was found to have a large heterogeneously enhancing 8 x 7-inch splenic mass by abdominal computed tomography (CT). FNA by transesophageal endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated atypical cells conclusive for malignancy and consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma based on cytomorphology, histochemical lipid positivity, and immunohistochemical positivity for cytokeratin, vimentin, and renal cell carcinoma marker. Repeat CT with and without arteriovenous contrast demonstrated bilateral renal cysts, including a 0.9 x 0.8-cm lesion on the left with significant enhancement. Splenectomy confirmed the radiological and cytological findings, and left kidney exploration and nephrectomy demonstrated a small (1.5 cm) lower pole renal cell carcinoma of chromophil (papillary) type, histologically similar to the splenic metastasis. This case demonstrates the diagnostic importance of interdisciplinary involvement (oncology, radiology, gastroenterology, pathology, and general and urologic surgery); cytomorphology; histochemistry, including fat stain on frozen cell block; and immunohistochemistry, including the recently developed renal cell carcinoma marker.