title: Rectal prolapse as initial clinical manifestation of colon cancer.
abstract: Rectal prolapse as the initial clinical manifestation of colorectal cancer is uncommon. We describe the case of a 75-year-old woman who was diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon after presenting with complete rectal prolapse. The tumor caused rectosigmoid intussusception and then it prolapsed out through the anus. She underwent rectosigmoidectomy and rectopexy. The postoperative course was uneventful. The relationship between colorectal cancer and rectal prolapse has not been clearly established. This case report describes an unusual presentation of colorectal cancer. It suggests that rectal prolapse can present as the initial symptom of colorectal cancer and may also be a presenting feature of the occult intra-abdominal pathology. The importance of adequate investigation such as colonoscopy should be emphasized in patients who develop a new onset of rectal prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: S-W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jao
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003082:Colectomy; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000473:pathology; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007443:Intussusception / Q000209:etiology; D007813:Laparotomy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil