Monireh Toosi1, Leila Moaddabshoar2, Seyed Ali Malek-Hosseini3, Mohammad Reza Sasani4, Maral Mokhtari5, Mohammad Mohammadianpanah6. 1. Department of Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Student Research Committee, Resident of Radiation Oncology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Organ Transplant Research Center, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 4. Medical Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 5. Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 6. Colorectal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: mohpanah@sums.ac.ir.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of colorectal cancer during pregnancy is rare and is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Herein, we report such a case of rectal cancer in pregnancy and review the literature. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old multiparous, pregnant woman, in the 20th week of gestation, presented with rectal bleeding progressing to spasmodic abdominal pain and right flank vague pain. A flexible rectosigmoidoscopy showed a large ulcerative mass located in the rectosigmoid junction, 15 cm away from anal verge. Imaging studies and biopsy proved it to be rectal adenocarcinoma with single liver metastasis. The patient's pregnancy was terminated and neoadjuvant therapy followed by curative surgery was performed. She is currently receiving adjuvant systemic therapy to eradicate potential micrometastatic disease. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that colorectal cancer can mimic the signs and the symptoms of pregnancy and tends to present at an advanced stage in pregnant women.
INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of colorectal cancer during pregnancy is rare and is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Herein, we report such a case of rectal cancer in pregnancy and review the literature. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old multiparous, pregnant woman, in the 20th week of gestation, presented with rectal bleeding progressing to spasmodic abdominal pain and right flank vague pain. A flexible rectosigmoidoscopy showed a large ulcerative mass located in the rectosigmoid junction, 15 cm away from anal verge. Imaging studies and biopsy proved it to be rectal adenocarcinoma with single liver metastasis. The patient's pregnancy was terminated and neoadjuvant therapy followed by curative surgery was performed. She is currently receiving adjuvant systemic therapy to eradicate potential micrometastatic disease. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that colorectal cancer can mimic the signs and the symptoms of pregnancy and tends to present at an advanced stage in pregnant women.
Authors: Alison De Lima; Boris Galjart; Pieter H A Wisse; Wichor M Bramer; C Janneke van der Woude Journal: BMC Gastroenterol Date: 2015-02-12 Impact factor: 3.067