title: Expect the unexpected: Endometriosis mimicking a rectal carcinoma in a post-menopausal lady.
abstract: Altered bowels habits along with rectal mass in an elderly would point toward a rectal cancer. We report an unusual case of a post-menopausal lady who presented with these complaints. We had difficulties in establishing a pre-operative diagnosis. With a tentative diagnosis of a rectal cancer/gastrointestinal stromal tumor, she underwent a laparoscopic anterior resection. On histopathology, this turned out to be endometriosis. Bowel endometriosis is an uncommon occurrence. That it occurred in a post-menopausal lady was a very unusual finding. We discuss the case, its management, and the relevant literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of GI Surgery, Surgical Division, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Jakhmola
authors.affiliation: Department of GI Surgery, Surgical Division, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ameet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sunita
keywords: Endometriosis; laparoscopic anterior resection; post-menopause; rectal cancer