Published online Jul 6, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i13.1643
Peer-review started: February 27, 2019
First decision: April 18, 2019
Revised: April 28, 2019
Accepted: May 1, 2019
Article in press: May 1, 2019
Published online: July 6, 2019
Processing time: 130 Days and 23.3 Hours
Colonic diverticulosis is a common disease, and the coexistence of colonic diverticulosis and colorectal cancer is often seen clinically. It is very rare that colon cancer arises from the mucosa of a colonic diverticulum. When colon cancer arises in a diverticulum and then tends to develop outside the wall, without developing within the lumen, the differential diagnosis from complicating lesions due to colonic diverticulitis is difficult.
A 76-year-old man was admitted to a nearby clinic with a chief complaint of discomfort and urinary frequency. Since a vesicosigmoidal fistula was seen on abdominal computed tomography, he was referred to our hospital. Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was performed because the various diagnostic findings were diagnosed as a vesicosigmoidal fistula with diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon. However, on histopathological examination, it was diagnosed as a vesicosigmoidal fistula due to colon cancer arising in the diverticulum. Laparoscopic partial resection of the bladder was performed because local recurrence was observed in the bladder wall one and a half years after surgery. It is currently one year after reoperation, but there has been no recurrence or metastasis.
Colon cancer arising in a diverticulum of the colon should be considered when diverticulitis with complications is observed.
Core tip: Cancers arising from a diverticulum of the colon are extremely rare, and few cases have been reported. Cancer of a colonic diverticulum has difficulty progressing into the lumen, and it is often difficult to identify by imaging examinations. In addition, due to the anatomical characteristics of the diverticulum, it is easy for the cancer to progress outside the colon wall. Thus, it is often in an advanced stage at the time of discovery, and careful attention is needed.