Mucinous carcinoma of the rectum in a boy presenting with bloody diarrhea

Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2009 Jul;8(3):169-71. doi: 10.3816/CCC.2009.n.028.

Abstract

Colorectal carcinoma, primarily a disease of adulthood, accounts for 0.2% of malignancies in adolescents and has very rarely been reported in childhood. Herein, we report a 15-year-old boy who presented with rectal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and diarrhea. His physical examination revealed tender abdomen with hepatomegaly. A hard mass was palpated by digital rectal examination. Histologic examination revealed a mucinous rectal adenocarcinoma. He died 4 months after diagnosis. This case highlights the need for awareness of colorectal carcinomas and their invasive nature in the differential diagnosis of rectal bleeding and diarrhea in adolescents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / diagnosis*
  • Adolescent
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed