A Case of the Transverse Colon Cancer with Abdominal Wall Abscess

Koshi Matsui, Kenichi Tazawa, Toru Yoshida, Masahiro Shinbo, Fuminori Yamagishi* and Kazuhiro Tsukada

Department of Surgery, Itoigawa General Hospital
Second Department of Surgery, Toyama University, School of Medicine*

A 52-year-old woman admitted for a lower abdominal tumor was found in abdominal computed tomography to have a huge tumor in front of the pelvis. Colonoscopy showed a type 3 tumor in the transverse colon. Biopsy specimens of the tumor were diagnosed as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. She had a high fever because of an abdominal wall abscess, which was drained. After the acute inflammation improved, we conducted right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection at level D3. We also resected the abdominal wall, including the abscess. The resected specimen showed a giant tumor of the transverse colon with external colonic fistula. Pathologically, cancer cells had invaded the abdominal wall and cecum, extensively involving the vessels. The patient has remained in good health without recurrence 18 months after surgery. Colon carcinoma with an abdominal wall abscess is very rare, and we recommend attempting radical surgery to ensure a good prognosis.

Key words
abdominal wall abscess, colon cancer

Reprint requests
Koshi Matsui Second Department of Surgery, Toyama University, School of Medicine
2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194 JAPAN

Accepted
November 22, 2006

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