Lipomas of the alimentary tract are rare tumours that can mimic malignant lesions. They are often small and asymptomatic although larger tumours can present with intusussception or as abdominal masses. We present a case of a transverse colon submucosal lipoma masquerading as a colonic adenocarcinoma leading to resection. A 74 year-old-man was referred urgently for assessment with altered bowel habits, and lower abdominal discomfort along with a positive Faecal-Occult-Blood sample. Colonoscopy demonstrated a large polypoidal lesion at the hepatic flexure with ulceration. Biopsies were inconclusive. A staging CT scan confirmed a 3.3 x 4.3 x 3.4cm Polyp with colonic wall thickening suspicious of malignancy. An extended right hemi-colectomy was performed. Histology showed a large submucosal lipoma with 12 reactive lymph nodes. Colonic lipoma often present as incidental findings detected on either imaging or endoscopically whilst investigating other symptoms. Their appearances can mimic colonic malignancy and surgical resection may be required.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3649205PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jscr/2011.2.4DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

submucosal lipoma
12
masquerading colonic
8
colonic malignancy
8
colonic
5
lipoma large
4
large intestine
4
intestine masquerading
4
malignancy lipomas
4
lipomas alimentary
4
alimentary tract
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!