Isolated Splenic Metastasis of Sigmoid Colon Cancer Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Splenic metastasis from colon carcinoma are rare and usually occur in the presence of disseminated visceral metastasis. The liver is the most common site of metastatic spread from colon cancer.1-4) Several hypotheses have attempted to explain the low incidence of splenic metastasis. It should be difficult for colorectal cancer cells to reach the spleen through the portal venous system, in which the blood flow is usually from the spleen to the liver.4,6) Reticuloendothelial system or rhythmic contraction of the spleen may squeeze out the tumor in the spleen.4,7) The absence of afferent lymphatic to the spleen, phagocytic activity and humoral anticancer substances are considered to be other reason for low incidence of splenic metastasis. We report the case of 18F-FDG PET/CT finding in a 70-year-old woman who develop isolated splenic metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer.4,5,8)