Metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma within haemorrhoids: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Metastatic tumour involvement of the anal canal is rare. Routine pathological evaluation of haemorrhoidectomy specimens has been suggested to be unhelpful and expensive. Selective rather than routine pathological evaluation of haemorrhoidectomy specimens has been recommended. Case presentation: We report the case of a 69-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who presented with metastatic carcinoma within thrombosed haemorrhoids. Conclusion: We suggest that in patients with colorectal cancer, careful examination of haemorrhoids on colonoscopy as well as histological examination of suspected haemorrhoidal tissue after surgical resection be performed to evaluate for metastasis. © 2008 Gujral et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.