title: The Great Pretender: Rectal Syphilis Mimic a Cancer.
abstract: Rectal syphilis is a rare expression of the widely recognised sexual transmitted disease, also known as the great imitator for its peculiarity of being confused with mild anorectal diseases because of its vague symptoms or believed rectal malignancy, with the concrete risk of overtreatment. We present the case of a male patient with primary rectal syphilis, firstly diagnosed as rectal cancer; the medical, radiological, and endoscopic features are discussed below.
authors.affiliation: Department of HBP & Digestive Surgery, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisani Ceretti
authors.affiliation: Department of HBP & Digestive Surgery, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virdis
authors.affiliation: Department of HBP & Digestive Surgery, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Nirvana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maroni
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Endoscopy, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Endoscopy, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masci
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magenta
authors.affiliation: Department of HBP & Digestive Surgery, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. Di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Opocher