Splenic metastases in a large unselected autopsy series

We analyzed the files of all autopsies performed at the Institute of Pathology of the Philipps-University Marburg between 1980 and 1999 with respect to the presence of splenic metastasis. The total number of autopsies within the study period was 8,563. In 1,898 cases, a solid malignant tumor (1,774 carcinomas, 36 sarcomas, 27 malignant melanomas) was diagnosed. Metastasis to the spleen occurred in 57 cases (3.0%). Compared to the whole study population, patients with splenic metastasis were significantly younger (59 years vs. 67 years, p