Mucinous adenocarcinoma on perianal fistula. A rising entity?

Abstract

Introduction

Mucinous adenocarcinoma on perianal fistula is a rare entity; it could be underdiagnosed because it behaves often as a regular perianal fistula.

Materials and methods

We have recently treated four cases in our unit. We present them and review the literature, emphasizing on clinical characteristic and therapeutic options. The four patients were male with a mean age of 64. Three of them were classified as locally advances cases and therefore treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

Results

All of them underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal escisión. Surgical specimens are described and clinical characteristic specified. Review of the literature shows that this disease has a very high potential risk of local recurrence and we must be aggressive with the resection. Sometimes plastic surgery is needed to reconstruct the perianal wound.

Conclusions

Mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with anal fistula is a rare disease. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by an adequate abdominoperineal excision may result in favourable outcomes.