Case Report
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Oncol. Feb 10, 2012; 3(2): 29-31
Published online Feb 10, 2012. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v3.i2.29
Colon cancer in a patient with underlying aplastic anemia: A clinical challenge
Hilda Wong, Pierre Chan, Thomas Yau
Hilda Wong, Thomas Yau, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Pierre Chan, Department of Medicine, Ruttonjee Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Thomas Yau, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Thomas Yau, Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: Wong H, Chan P and Yau T were all involved in the clinical management of the reported patient, data collection, manuscript writing and final approval of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Thomas Yau, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Room 211B, New Clinical Building, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. the@netvigator.com
Telephone: +852-22553111 Fax: +852-28162863
Received: September 8, 2011
Revised: December 19, 2011
Accepted: February 6, 2012
Published online: February 10, 2012
Abstract

The association of gastrointestinal malignancy with aplastic anemia has rarely been reported in the literature. Although it is not clear whether there is any direct relationship between aplastic anemia and gastrointestinal cancers, a retrospective analysis did suggest the notion that patients with aplastic anemia might have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer. Here, we report the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in managing a patient with aplastic anemia and advanced colorectal cancer. Early diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping symptomatology and clinical features, increased risk of diagnostic procedures, and confounding complications arising from aplastic anemia and its treatment. A high index of suspicion and multidisciplinary input are essential.

Keywords: Aplastic anemia; Colon cancer; Gastrointestinal malignancy