Transitional cell carcinoma of the retrorectal space arisen in tailgut cyst: a case report and review of the literature

Int J Surg Pathol. 2014 May;22(3):280-5. doi: 10.1177/1066896913491324. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

Tailgut cysts, also known as retrorectal cystic hamartomas, are congenital lesions derived by an abnormal remnant of the postanal primitive hindgut, consisting of unilocular or multilocular cysts usually lined by squamous, transitional, or glandular epithelium. Malignant transformation is an uncommon event, and it mainly involves the neuroendocrine or glandular epithelium; other histotypes are sporadic. Here, we report, for the first time, the clinicopathological features of a transitional cell carcinoma that arose in a tailgut cyst.

Keywords: retrorectal space; tailgut cyst; transitional cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hamartoma / complications*
  • Hamartoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Rectum / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Space / pathology*
  • Sacrococcygeal Region / pathology