Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from chronic anorectal fistulae: a review from a single institution.

BACKGROUND

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from a chronic anorectal fistula is rare, with few reports in the literature. Such lesions present in an innocuous manner and can be mistaken for the more common clinical condition of a benign perianal abscess or fistula.

METHODS

From our prospectively collected database, we identified 4 patients with chronic perianal inflammatory conditions who were subsequently found to have developed perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma on biopsy. We received the symptomatology, subsequent management and further follow-up of each patient. These patients were treated with radical surgery, with or without adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

A high index of clinical suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of perianal tumours while assessing patients presenting with perianal inflammatory conditions. Wide excision of the tumour with abdominoperineal resection is the surgical treatment of choice and can provide good long-term results in patients with localized disease.