Mucosal de Novo Cancer of the Rectum Following Radiation Therapy for Uterine Cancer

Abstract

A 54-year-old woman who underwent a hysterectomy and radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix developed mucosal de novo cancer of the rectum 12 years later. The rectal lesion was elevated, measuring 0.8×0.7×0.3cm, and its surface was relatively smooth. Microscopically, this tumor consisted of a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma which had invaded the depth of the mucosa. Late radiation injuries were observed around the tumor. We diagnosed this lesion as a radiation-induced mucosal de novo adenocarcinoma of the rectum on the basis of the criteria of Black and Ackerman (Clin Radiol 16: 278, 1965). This case underscores the need for careful longterm follow-up studies of the large intestines of patients who underwent therapeutic irradiation for uterine cancer.
(Internal Medicine 32: 427-429, 1993)