title: Ossification of a rectal tumor: an uncommon finding.
abstract: The authors report the case of a 29-year-old woman with partially calcified stage cT4N2M0 mucoid adenocarcinoma of the mid-rectum. Concomitant neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was administered. Preoperative CT scan and MRI demonstrated stable disease with a marked increase of its mineralized component. Histology confirmed a mucoid adenocarcinoma with ossified matrix. Osteocytes were identified in the tumor. TNM (5th edition) staging was ypT3N2M1. This case illustrates heterotopic ossification of a rectal tumor, a fairly uncommon finding. The mechanism of heterotopic bone formation within gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma has not been fully elucidated. The impact of this particular feature on patient outcome is unknown.
authors.forename: Stanislas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smajda
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Danse
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mertens de Wilmars
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Humblet
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kartheuser
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jouret-Mourin
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*