Published online Dec 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i23.6095
Peer-review started: July 12, 2020
First decision: September 24, 2020
Revised: October 2, 2020
Accepted: October 27, 2020
Article in press: October 27, 2020
Published online: December 6, 2020
Processing time: 145 Days and 1.8 Hours
Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) of the rectum is a rare tumor associated with poor prognosis.
We report a case of a 77-year-old male who came into our hospital because of blood with his stool. An endoscopy revealed a cauliflower-like neoplasm in his rectum. Imaging examination showed that the lesion in the upper rectum was likely rectal cancer, and there was no evidence of metastasis. The patient was treated with surgery. Pathological examination confirmed SNEC of the rectum and an R0 resection was achieved. However, 1 mo after the operation, the patient developed intestinal and ureteral obstructions due to peritoneal metastases. Finally, the patient died from renal failure.
SNEC of the rectum is a high-grade carcinoma with an aggressive phenotype, and surgery should be cautiously considered.
Core Tip: Total mesorectal excision was performed according to pathological analysis, and R0 resection was achieved. However, this patient had tumor recurrence only 1 mo after surgery. Therefore, small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum is a high-grade carcinoma with an aggressive phenotype.