AUTHOR=Ren Peide , Shi Yihang , Zhang Letian , Sun Yuemin , Ye Zhibin , Liu Hengchang , Wang Shunda , Chen Yinggang 

TITLE=Isolated metachronous splenic metastasis after rectal cancer surgery: a case report and literature review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1563632

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2025.1563632

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundThe occurrence of isolated splenic metastasis in association with colorectal cancer is exceedingly rare. This paper presents a case of isolated splenic metastasis identified one year after radical resection of rectal cancer. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, achieving favorable therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, we conduct a literature review of analogous cases and examine the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for this uncommon condition.Case ReviewA 76-year-old male patient underwent laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer, accompanied by ileostomy, at our institution. Postoperatively, the patient received two cycles of XELOX chemotherapy but continued with oral capecitabine for six cycles due to oxaliplatin intolerance. Follow-up enhanced CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed an isolated metastatic tumor in the spleen. Subsequently, the patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. Histopathological examination post-surgery confirmed the metastasis of rectal cancer to the spleen.ConclusionIsolated splenic metastasis originating from colorectal cancer is exceedingly rare, and laparoscopic splenectomy constitutes an effective treatment strategy.