Mucinous carcinoma of the colon

Mucinous carcinoma of the colon is a distinct form of colorectal cancer found in 10-15% of patients with colorectal cancer. It differs from conventional adenocarcinoma in terms of clinical and histopathological characteristics.

For the cecal appendix, please refer to the article on mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix.

Epidemiology

There may be a slightly greater female predilection.

Clinical presentation

Patients may present with a more advanced stage of the disease.

Pathology

It is characterized by abundant mucous secretion comprising at least 50% of the tumor volume.

Radiographic features

CT

Mucinous carcinoma may show severe and more eccentric bowel-wall thickening.

Other described features include :

• more frequent presence of intratumoral calcification
• more common heterogeneous contrast enhancement
• more areas with hypoattenuation
• solid portion of mucinous carcinoma may show showed less enhancement than that of nonmucinous carcinoma
• can produce cystic or calcified hepatic metastases
• can cause widespread intraperitoneal metastases

Treatment and prognosis

It has long been associated with an inferior response to treatment compared with adenocarcinoma.

History and etymology

It was first described by the general surgeon Dr. Duncan Parham in 1923.

Siehe auch:

• Kolorektales Karzinom

und weiter:

• zystische Lebermetastasen eines muzinösen Adenokarzinoms des Kolons