Synchronous collision malignant melanoma and adenocarcinoma of the rectum

Tech Coloproctol. 2010 Jun;14(2):181-4. doi: 10.1007/s10151-010-0571-6. Epub 2010 Mar 23.

Abstract

"Collision tumors" consist of two independent but coexisting tumors. This uncommon situation might be easily mistaken for a composite tumor where one histogenetic event originates from two apparently distinct neoplasms. Colorectal collisions are particularly unusual; here, we report the exceedingly rare case of a 61-year-old man with malignant melanoma and adenocarcinoma colliding in the rectum. Collision tumors have an idiopathic pathophysiology and in fact "accidental meeting" is accepted by many authors. This article discusses the concepts about cancer development, which are overlooked by this hypothesis, another theory to explain that this rare occurrence involves microenvironment changes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / etiology
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / physiopathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / physiopathology