title: Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon 7mm in size with peritonitis carcinomatosa.
abstract: A 72-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of a sensation of abdominal fullness. Cytologic examination of ascites revealed many poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. Barium enema study and colonoscopy revealed IIa+IIc-type carcinoma of the descending colon. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed to determine the histological type and the depth of invasion. The resected tumor was 7 x 6 mm in size, and an amorphous pit pattern was observed in the depressed area by stereomicroscopy. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells had diffusely infiltrated into the deeper part of the submucosal layer. Immunohistochemical findings showed this tumor to have mucin derived from gastric foveolar epithelium, suggesting that the signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon showed gastric differentiation. Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum is a rare form of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine and shows more malignant biological behavior than ordinary colorectal carcinoma. Early diagnosis and curative operation are important.
authors.affiliation: Nanpuh Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimaoka
authors.forename: Tooru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niihara
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Tatsuyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nioh
authors.forename: Hidehisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohi
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishimata
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimata
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohkura
authors.forename: Minori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamada
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery