Description of Specimen
A section of spleen enlarged and distorted by three nodular masses of white, rather chalky-looking
tumour. There is an occasional area of haemorrhage present. The tumour extends to the surface of
the spleen, where a number of nodules of tumour can be seen, apparently outside the capsule.
History
This man was admitted initially at the age of 72, with a mass on the right side of his neck
showing a small cell undifferentiated carcinoma in a lymph node. Six months later, he was
readmitted with severe pain and was found to have bilateral masses in his neck, a palpable spleen
and a retroperitoneal mass. He died shortly after admission. Autopsy showed an adenocarcinoma
of the lower-third of the oesophagus, with widespread metastases including the present specimen.