[Two Cases of Colorectal Cancer with Tumor Thrombus in the Inferior Mesenteric Vein]

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2015 Nov;42(12):2224-6.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

In colorectal cancer, progression with an intravenous tumor thrombus is very rare. Here, we report 2 cases of colorectal cancer which showed a tumor thrombus in the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV). Case 1: A 69-year-old woman was admitted for the treatment of advanced rectal cancer, and underwent a low anterior resection. Six months of post-operative therapy was carried out with mFOLFOX6, but a metachronous lung metastasis was detected and a lung partial resection was performed. Case 2: A 67-year-old man was admitted for the treatment of advanced sigmoid colon cancer with simultaneous liver metastasis, and underwent a laparoscopic high anterior resection. Four courses of mFOLFOX6+bevacizumab chemotherapy were carried out after surgery, and subsequently he underwent a partial hepatectomy. In both cases IMV tumor thrombus was suspected from abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Tumor thrombus filling the lumen of the IMV was confirmed on histopathological examination. Colorectal cancer with IMV tumor thrombus is a form of advanced cancer with advanced vascular invasion, and there is a high risk of simultaneous or metachronous hematogenous metastasis. Combined modality therapy should therefore be given to improve the prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Veins / pathology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / complications
  • Rectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / complications
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thrombosis / etiology*