Endobronchial metastasis from colorectal carcinoma

A case report and review of the literature concerning endobronchial metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is discussed. Careful attention to the past history of the patient, presenting symptoms and laboratory evaluation, may lessen the diagnostic difficulty in differentiating a centrally located bronchogenic carcinoma from a metastasis to a major bronchus. In the majority of cases, the primary colorectal tumor will precede the pulmonary abnormality. The most frequently manifested symptoms are cough and hemoptysis. Radiologic findings usually consist of a collapsed lung, lobe or segment secondary to the bronchial obstruction. There appears to be equal predilection for metastatic involvement of either the right or left bronchial segments. Bronchial biopsies and comparison with the previous histology of the primary colorectal tumor are mandatory.