2020 Volume 53 Issue 9 Pages 732-739
Herein, we report a case of synchronous brain and lung metastases after 17 years from the initial rectal resection of Stage I rectal cancer. A-74-year-old man, who had undergone low anterior resection for Stage I rectal cancer at the age of 57, was diagnosed with a lung tumor in the lower lobe of the left lung. He underwent left lower lobectomy, which was compatible with metastasis of the primary rectal cancer. Eight months later, he exhibited recurrent lung metastases with synchronous brain tumors, and underwent partial right lung resection, and subsequently gamma-knife treatment for the brain tumors. The patients died 2 years and 2 months after the initial lung resection. Brain metastases from colorectal cancer are extremely rare, particularly after more than 5 years since the initial resection. Multimodal therapy for colorectal cancer is effective enough to prolong the survival period and improving the quality of life, even if multiple metastases occur. However, after a long survival period with Stage I rectal cancer, there is a high probability of developing lung metastases with synchronous brain metastases.
