Abstract
We report a rare case of rectal cancer with a rhabdoid feature. A 75-year-old man seen for anal pain and bleeding and suspected rectal cancer had tumor invasion to the anal skin. Colonoscopy showed a rectal tumor 10cm in diameter indicated in computed tomopgraphy and magnetic resonance imaging to have infiltrated the sacrum, nscessitating abdominoperineal resection. Histologically, the tumor consisted of rhabdoid cells with homogenous lateralized nuclei and acidophillic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining showed cells to be positive for vimentin and cytokeratin. Electron microscopy showed ultrastructural intermediate cytoplasmic filament whorls. The man suffered inguinal lymphatic metastasis 2 months postoperatively despite chemotherapy, because septic, and dieded 5 months after surgery. Colorectal cancer with a rhabdoid feature, as with other organs, may have a high biological grade and a dismal prognosis.
