A rare case of a mid sigmoid tumour presenting as an intussuscepting low rectal tumour causing clinical dilemma in a 22-year-old: A case report

Abstract

A 22-year-old man presented to clinic with a 1 year history of bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed the presence of a low polypoidal rectal carcinoma. Whilst awaiting neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, the patient presented to accident and emergency with an anal protrusion of the tumour. An emergency laparotomy unexpectedly revealed a mid sigmoid tumour which had intussuscepted through the anus and therefore required an anterior resection as opposed to an abdomino-perineal resection. Colorectal carcinoma presents in a specifically unique pattern in patients less than 30 years. We present this rare case with a brief review of the literature. © 2009 licensee BioMed Central Ltd.