Isolated splenic metastasis from rectal carcinoma.

Splenic metastasis is a late manifestation of disseminated disease. Focal metastatic splenic involvement, however, without evidence of additional systemic disease, is unique. Review of the literature yielded only one case of isolated splenic metastasis incidental to rectal carcinoma. We have reported an additional case of isolated solitary splenic metastasis from primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Theoretically, certain anatomic, histologic, and functional splenic attributes may limit splenic involvement from metastatic disease.