Second isolated anastomotic recurrence after curative surgery for colorectal cancer

• Published in: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Vol. 99; no. 2; pp. e56 - e57
• Main Authors: Bailon-Cuadrado, M, Blanco-Alvarez, J I, Velasco-Lopez, R, Rodriguez-Lopez, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01-02-2017; Royal College of Surgeons
• Subjects: Aged; Anastomosis, Surgical; Colectomy; Colonoscopy; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Lymphatic system; Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - surgery; Online Case Report; Pathology; Surgery; Anastomotic recurrence; Colorectal cancer; Stapled anastomosis
• ISSN: 0035-8843; 1478-7083
• DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2016.0318

Introduction The two mechanisms postulated for cancer recurrence at the anastomosis site ('anastomotic recurrence' (AR)) after curative surgery for colorectal cancer are: (i) intraluminal dissemination of viable cancer cells; (ii) metachronous carcinogenesis related with changes in the local milieu provoked by the materials employed to carry out the anastomosis. Case History We describe a 79-year-old female who underwent a left hemicolectomy due to a stenotic lesion shown on colonoscopy: an adenocarcinoma (pT3NO, G2). One year after surgery, control colonoscopy revealed an AR, so a new resection was carried out. Pathology showed it to be a recurrent adenocarcinoma over the staple line (pT3N0, G2). One year after the second surgical procedure, control colonoscopy evinced a new AR, resulting in a new resection. Pathology revealed a new AR. Conclusions This is only the second time that a second isolated AR after curative resection for colorectal cancer has been reported.