A palpable rectal mass associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms immediately raises concern for colorectal cancer, but rarely can represent distant metastatic disease. The incidence of symptomatic colorectal metastasis from a primary lung cancer without any pulmonary symptom is extremely rare. We report a rare case of constipation as the presenting symptom in a patient ultimately found to have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. A rectal mass was readily palpable on examination, illustrating the importance of digital rectal examination. In addition, GI clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating patients at risk of non-GI malignancies.
Keywords: colorectal metastasis; constipation; metastatic lung cancer; rectal mass.
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.