A Case of Primary Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma to occur in the rectum is a comparatively rare disease with a poor prognosis whose incidence rate is 0.2% of rectal cancer. A 52-year-old man underwent a checkup for bloody excrement and dyschezia, and was referred to our department with a suspected diagnosis of lower rectal cancer because the biopsy showed low differentiated adenocarcinoma. He underwent Miles' operation with seminal vesicle partial excision. The resected specimen was pathologically diagnosed as signet-ring cell carcinoma (Stage IIIb). 5-FU/LV adjuvant therapy was performed and internal anticancer drug treatment was continued afterwards. However, local recurrence developed two years after curative resection, and re-ablative surgery was performed. The patient died 6 months after re-surgery due to bone metastases.