Beyond the Bowel: Lung cancer presenting as Complicated Diverticulitis

Authors

Ramya Vasireddy, Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MDFollow
Mariah Malak Bilalaga, Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Greeshma Gaddipati, Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Terina S. Chen, Department of Pathology, MedStar Franklin Square Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Hashroop Gurm, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK

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

Recommended Citation

Vasireddy, Ramya; Bilalaga, Mariah Malak; Gaddipati, Greeshma; Chen, Terina S.; and Gurm, Hashroop (2025) "Beyond the Bowel: Lung cancer presenting as Complicated Diverticulitis," Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives: Vol. 15: Iss. 3, Article 18.
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1487
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/jchimp/vol15/iss3/18