A Case of Ascending Colon Cancer with Umbilical Metastasis and a Markedly Reduced Quality of Life Because of an Extensive Skin Disorder

Abstract

A 52-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of inflammation and pus discharge from the umbilicus. A CT examination revealed an ascending colon cancer with liver, lymph node, peritoneal, and umbilical metastases. Chemotherapy was performed; 19 months later, the umbilical tumor had slowly increased in size and a skin disorder appeared around the umbilical tumor. His pain had also worsened. An opioid analgesic was prescribed for the pain. The amount of exudate from the skin disorder, which had a bad smell, had also increased. The smell was improved by the metronidazole ointment. The skin disorder had spread to almost the entire abdominal surface at the time of the patient’s death. Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is expected to prolong survival. However, the surgical resection of an umbilical metastasis might need to be considered, since the skin damage caused by the umbilical metastasis can cause a significant decrease in quality of life.