Rectal Carcinoma with a Large Amount of Mucin Production in Childhood - Report of a Case


T. Todani, Y. Watanabe

Z Kinderchir 36: 73-75, 1982


A 10-year-old boy with rectal carcinoma underwent an abdominoperineal resection with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The tumor showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with a large amount of mucin production. Five years later, obstructive hydronephrosis due to postoperative radiotherapy developed and uretero-ileo-cystoneostomy was performed after transient bilateral nephrostomies. He is now I 7 years of age, 7 years after the initial operation, and doing well with nearly normal renal function. Colorectal carcinoma in childhood is very rare and has a poor prognosis, which seems due to the high incidence of mucinous adenocarcinoma and delay in early diagnosis. Besides polyp carcinoma with low grade malignancy, an aggressive abdominoperineal resection with sigmoid colostomy is the treatment of choice as in adults. Postoperative radiotherapy under a total of 3000 rads is also recommended for a better chance of cure. The effectiveness of pre- and postoperative chemotherapy is still doubtful.

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