Unusual case of adenocarcinoma arising in endometriosis mimicking colorectal cancer in a young woman with a Müllerian anomaly

Fertil Steril. 2008 Jul;90(1):199.e13-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.06.054. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of endometrioid adenocarcinoma that arose in endometriosis mimicking colorectal cancer in a young woman with a Müllerian anomaly.

Design: A case report.

Setting: A university hospital.

Patient(s): A 31-year-old, white nulligravida woman with a history of two previous laparoscopies for infertility and chronic pelvic pain. A solid rectosigmoid mass adherent to the left pelvic sidewall was found in this patient.

Intervention(s): The patient was subjected to an exploratory laparotomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Main outcome measure(s): Surgical findings and histopathological observations are included in this report.

Result(s): Intraoperative and histologic examinations revealed endometriosis-associated colorectal cancer.

Conclusion(s): Although a rare event, this condition should be considered in the diagnosis of women with a previous history of pelvic endometriosis, Müllerian malformation, abdominal pain, constipation, or rectal bleeding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Endometriosis / complications*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Endometriosis / therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Ileostomy
  • Laparoscopy
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Mullerian Ducts / abnormalities*
  • Ovariectomy
  • Pelvic Pain / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome