A case of advanced rectal cancer with negative fecal occult blood test diagnosed by symptoms of bowel obstruction

Abstract

A 58-year-old woman was hospitalized for bowel obstruction caused by rectal cancer despite having undergoing a yearly comprehensive medical examination and negative fecal occult blood test six months ago. CT on admission showed a rectal tumor with severe gut distention and multiple liver metastases. We performed urgent Hartmann operation to release the bowel obstruction. Histopathological findings revealed that the tumor was type 3, 5.0×4.5cm, tub2>por2, T3, ly3, v2, N2 (23/25). She died 13 months after the operation despite receiving chemotherapy. We reported a case of advanced stage instructive interval cancer of the rectum despite regular medical examination.