Work

Beyond the Bowel: Lung cancer presenting as Complicated Diverticulitis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages frequently metastasizing to organs like the liver, adrenal glands, brain and bones. However, gastrointestinal metastasis, especially to the small intestine, is rare. We report a patient who presented with a perforated small bowel, requiring emergent laparotomy. Imaging suggested an infectious process, but subsequent workup revealed jejunal perforation and poorly differentiated lung cancer. Despite being a candidate for immunotherapy alone, the patient opted for hospice. This case emphasizes the atypical presentation of lung cancer as a gastrointestinal complication and underscores the importance of keeping malignancy in the differential for a perforated small bowel.

Source: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1487

Authors: Ramya Vasireddy, Mariah Malak Bilalaga, Greeshma Gaddipati, Terina S. Chen, Hashroop Gurm

Institutions: MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Language: English

Topic: Metastasis and carcinoma case studies

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $500