Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Treatment-Resistant Ileocecal Stricture Mimicking Crohn's Disease: Report of a Case.

INTRODUCTION

Goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA) is a rare malignancy of the appendix that often involves deeper layers of the bowel wall, making preoperative diagnosis difficult and occasionally mimicking inflammatory bowel disease.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 47-year-old man with a history of appendectomy who presented with an ileocecal stricture initially diagnosed as Crohn's disease. As the stricture persisted despite repeated endoscopic balloon dilations, ileocecal resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed that immunohistochemistry was positive for mucin 2, synaptophysin, and carcinoembryonic antigen, leading to a diagnosis of GCA. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin and remains recurrence-free.

CONCLUSIONS

This case indicates that malignancy should be considered in treatment-refractory ileocecal strictures, even when endoscopic biopsy results are negative.