Signet cell carcinoma of the colon in a 17 year old child

Abstract

Signet cell carcinomas of the colon are well documented in the adult population, but this cancer incidence is very low in the adolescent population. A 17 year old male child presented with one month of progressive abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen showed significant abnormality involving the ascending colon characterized as marked mural thickening. Biopsy results indicated signet ring cell carcinoma. Signet cell carcinoma is presumed to be caused by genetic mutations just like the other colorectal cancers. Treatment for signet cell carcinoma is the same as other colorectal cancer. Surgery is part of the standard management of patients with colon and rectal cancer stages I, II and III. Signet cell cancer has a poor survival with the median survival period of about 9 months. The incidence among adolescence is much lower than that of the adult population.