Abstract
A 72-year-old-man under follow-up observation after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer (T2N1M0, stage II) exhibited neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the transverse colon, and underwent partial colectomy. Four months after surgery, multiple liver metastases were observed. Follow-up observation was continued with oral UFT administration, but metastases increased, and he died due to liver failure 13 months after surgery. Neuroendocrine tumors are collectively referred to as neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) by the revision of the WHO classification, and are subdivided by histopathological grade of malignancy. NEC is included in this classification. Primary colon NEC generally shows a poor prognosis, and despite periodic follow-up, the present case displayed rapid postoperative recurrence that could not be effectively treated. For NEC of the colon, surgery alone provides a poor prognosis, and multimodal therapy is considered necessary.
