Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the ethmoids in a patient with previous gastric adenocarcinoma: a case report

Abstract

Metastatic carcinoma of the ethmoids is very rare. Of the few cases reported in the literature, the majority are renal in origin. Although metastases from the gastrointestinal tract have been reported, there are no known cases of metastases from the stomach. We present a rare case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the ethmoids in a patient previously treated for adenocarcinoma of the stomach and describe the possible mechanisms of spread. The patient had a craniofacial resection of the tumour but unfortunately died four weeks post-operatively from acute liver failure probably caused by a liver metastasis.