In a patient with metastatic colon cancer, which finding is most likely?

• A. Dyspnea
• B. Altered mental status
• C. LAD
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (D)

A key idea here is that colorectal cancer most often spreads to the liver. When liver metastases develop, they can disrupt bile flow and liver function, leading to jaundice. So the presence of jaundice fits with common metastatic patterns of colon cancer, because the liver becomes involved early via the portal circulation, and this causes bilirubin buildup.

The other findings would require metastasis to other organs (for example, lung involvement could cause shortness of breath, brain involvement could cause mental status changes). Lymph node involvement can occur but is not as characteristic as liver metastases in colorectal cancer, so jaundice best explains the typical metastatic pattern.