Published online Dec 16, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i35.8343
Peer-review started: July 14, 2023
First decision: August 30, 2023
Revised: September 14, 2023
Accepted: November 30, 2023
Article in press: November 30, 2023
Published online: December 16, 2023
Processing time: 152 Days and 20.6 Hours
Synchronous colorectal carcinomas (SCRC) are two or more primary colorectal carcinomas identified simultaneously or within 6 mo of the initial presentation in a single patient. Their incidence is low and the number of pathological types of SCRC is usually no more than two. It is very unusual that the pathological findings of a patient with SCRC show more than two different pathological subtypes. Here, we report a rare case of SCRC with three pathological subtypes.
A 75-year-old woman who had no previous medical history or family history was admitted to the hospital because of intermittent hematochezia for more than a month. Colonoscopy displayed an irregularly shaped neoplasm of the rectum, a tumor-like lesion causing intestinal stenosis in the descending colon, and a polypoidal neoplasm in the ileocecum. Subsequently, she underwent total colectomy, abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer, and ileostomy. After operation, the pathological report showed three pathological subtypes including well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the descending colon, and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the rectum. She is now recovering well and continues to be closely monitored during follow-up.
Preoperative colonoscopy examination, imaging examination, and extensive intraoperative exploration play important roles in reducing the number of missed lesions.
Core Tip: In most cases, the number of pathologic types of synchronous colorectal carcinomas (SCRC) is limited to 1-2. It is very rare that the pathological findings of a patient with SCRC show more than two different pathological subtypes. Here, we report a rare case of SCRC with three different pathological subtypes without a family history of cancer or genetic predisposing factors.