Silent colon carcinoma presenting as a hepatic abscess

Tumori. 2007 Nov-Dec;93(6):616-8. doi: 10.1177/030089160709300618.

Abstract

Penetration and abscess formation in an adjacent parenchymal organ as presentation of a colon cancer is very uncommon. We report a rare case of pyogenic liver abscess as the first manifestation of an infiltrative and penetrating hepatic flexure colon carcinoma without liver metastases. A 50-year-old woman was admitted with right abdominal pain, fever and chills. The initial diagnosis was a pyogenic liver abscess. Subsequent CT scan and colonoscopy evidenced a hepatic flexure colon cancer abscessed within segment 6 of the liver. Eight months after a right colectomy and liver resection there was no evidence of disease. The occurrence of a pyogenic liver abscess should raise the suspicion of a silent colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Carcinoma / complications*
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Colonic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / complications
  • Liver Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Abscess / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed