Heterotopic ossification of rectal adenocarcinoma: report of a case

Surg Today. 2004;34(2):167-9. doi: 10.1007/s00595-003-2657-5.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification of gastrointestinal tract tumors is rare. We report the case of a 67-year-old man with heterotopic ossification of a rectal adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with intermittent abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea, and colonoscopic examination showed a large polypoid tumor partially obstructing the rectal lumen. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a large tumor in the rectal lumen with calcified spots. We performed low anterior resection of the rectum, and histologic examination showed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with heterotopic ossification infiltrating the full thickness of the rectum. Local recurrence and liver metastases were found 2 months after surgery, and the patient died 3 months later. Such a rapidly progressive course of rectal adenocarcinoma with heterotopic ossification is very unusual.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / diagnostic imaging
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / pathology*
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / surgery
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed