Small cell carcinoma of the rectum: A report of imaging results from four cases

Zhou,Jian; Shen,Jingxian; Ma,Huali; Zhang,Yun; Sun,Meili; Zheng,Lie; Lv,Yanchun

doi:10.3892/ol.2016.4136

March-2016 Volume 11 Issue 3

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March-2016 Volume 11 Issue 3

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Article Open Access

Small cell carcinoma of the rectum: A report of imaging results from four cases

Authors:
- Jian Zhou
- Jingxian Shen
- Huali Ma
- Yun Zhang
- Meili Sun
- Lie Zheng
- Yanchun Lv
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Medical Imaging and Minimally Invasive Interventional Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat‑sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China

Copyright: © Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Pages: 1671-1676
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Published online on: January 20, 2016

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4136
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Abstract

Small cell carcinoma of the rectum is extremely rare. The present study aimed to improve the recognition of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features observed in patients with small cell carcinoma of the rectum. A total of 4 cases of patients with histologically confirmed small cell carcinoma of the rectum were retrospectively reviewed. The imaging features assessed consisted of the thickening of the rectal wall, local tumor invasion, CT density, MRI signal intensity, lesion texture, contrast enhancement characteristics, lymphadenopathy and distant metastasis. All 4 patients displayed ring‑like rectal wall thickening and hypodensity in comparison to the gluteus muscles on non‑enhanced CT images. MRI demonstrated isointensity on T1‑weighted images and hyperintensity on T2‑weighted images. Thickening of the left wall of the rectum with patchy low attenuation and the presence of an exophytic mass was observed in 1 patient. Local tumor invasion was observed in the perirectal fat spaces of 4 patients, in the prostate gland and seminal vesicle of 1 patient, and in the left seminal vesicle of 1 patient. Heterogeneous attenuation was exhibited on non‑enhanced CT images in 3 lesions, and 1 lesion exhibited heterogeneous intensity on non‑enhanced MRI images. All the lesions observed demonstrated strong enhancement following contrast imaging. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 4 patients, liver metastasis in 3 patients, pulmonary metastasis in 2 patients and multiple bone metastases in 1 patient. Overall, small cell carcinoma of the rectum appeared to be more likely to metastasize to the liver, pulmonary, lymph nodes and bone. Distinguishing features of small cell carcinoma of the rectum were noted as a thickening rectal wall, the presence of soft‑tissue tumors, local tumor invasion, lymphadenopathy and distant metastases. Pre-operative CT and MRI are required as an aid in selecting the correct treatment plan and for the prognosis assessment of patients.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Small cell carcinoma of the rectum: A report of imaging results from four cases

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