Rectal cancer or rectal chancre? Beware of primary syphilis.
The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) has risen in recent years [Brown AE, Sadler KE, Tomkins SE, McGarrigle CA, LaMontagne DS, Goldberg D, et al. Recent trends in HIV and other STIs in the United Kindom: data to the end of 2002. Sex Transm Infect 2004;80:159-66]. Homosexually active men have frequent intestinal and rectal symptoms due to sexually acquired gastrointestinal infections [Surawicz CM, Goodell SE, Quinn TC, Roberts PL, Corey L, Holmes KK, et al. Spectrum of rectal biopsy abnormalities in homosexual men with intestinal symptoms. Gastroenterology 1986;91:651-9]. The number of reported cases of primary syphilis is increasing especially among this group of people [Goh BT. Syphilis in adults. Sex Transm Infect 2005;81:448-52 ]. We herein describe a case of a young man with a primary syphilitic rectal localization mimicking rectal cancer.
Febbraro
I
I
Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy. ifebbraro@libero.it
Manetti
G
G
Balestrieri
P
P
Zippi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002601:Chancre / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G