Rectal Cancer with Retroperitoneal Fibrosis

Abstract

The patient was a 62-year-old man who had consulted his previous doctor concerning chief complaints of diarrhea, edema, and palpitations on exertion. He was referred to our hospital for detailed examination and treatment, with suspected rectal cancer. Colonoscopy revealed a type-2 circumferential tumor at the rectosigmoid junction. The tumor was diagnosed as a highly-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Contrast-enhanced CT scan indicated bilateral soft masses peripheral to the common iliac arteries and the abdominal aorta, suggestive of retroperitoneal fibrosis. The patient underwent high anterior resection and retroperitoneal biopsy. Rectal cancer (pT3pN0cM0, pStage II) and retroperitoneal fibrosis was diagnosed based on pathological results. Postoperatively, the retroperitoneal soft masses improved without steroid administration. The patient is alive without recurrence at 31 postoperative months. The present case is thought to be malignant tumor-related retroperitoneal fibrosis on account of its course. Radical resection of the malignant tumor improved secondary retroperitoneal fibrosis without steroid administration.