SMALL-CELL UNDIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA OF THE RECTOSIGMOID COLON

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 109  (7) , 629-632
Abstract
Patients (3) with small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the rectosigmoid colon are described. Though there was a wide range of patient age, history and gross presentation of the malignancy, there was overlap in the histopathologic appearance and the biological behavior of the tumor. All 3 cases had liver involvement at the time of diagnosis. Despite multidrug chemotherapy, 2 patients died within a yr of diagnosis, and the 3rd patient had progressive disease. Ultrastructurally, all cases had membrane-bound dense-core granules, there was considerable variation of size and number of granules among the tumors, as well as other forms of endodermal differentiation. Whether small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma presents as a small focus within a neoplastic polyp or as a large primary tumor, the therapy must include a systemic aggressive protocol.