Adenocarcinoma arising from chronic perianal crohn's disease: a case report

Pan Afr Med J. 2015 Oct 14:22:140. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2015.22.140.7875. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Malignant transformation of perineal fistula in Crohn's disease has rarely been reported. We report a case of Crohn's disease with recurrent perineal fistulas. A 36-year-old male, diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 24, developed adenocarcinoma in an anorectal fistula that had existed for years. He was treated with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy but died. A high index of suspicion and regular surveillance is recommended in chronic anorectal fistulas in Crohn's disease. The shorter duration of Crohn's fistulas prior to malignant degeneration necessitates an aggressive approach to rule out cancer.

Keywords: Crohn′s disease; perianal disease; perineal adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Adult
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rectal Fistula / etiology*
  • Rectal Fistula / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Time Factors