Is Gastrointestinal Metastasis of Primary Lung Malignancy as Rare as Reported in the Literature? A Comparison Between Clinical Cases and Post-mortem Studies

Abstract

Lung cancer is a common malignancy, with metastasis occurring in approximately half of all cases. Most commonly, these secondary lesions present in the lymph nodes, adrenal glands, liver, bone, and brain. The incidence of metastatic lesions to the gastrointestinal tract is under speculation as it had originally been thought exceedingly rare. However, post-mortem studies have revealed that these secondary lesions may be more common than previously believed. This article reviews the literature regarding primary lung malignancies and their involvement as metastatic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract with focus on clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and the difference in incidence among clinical cases and lesions found at autopsy.