[Diagnosis and treatment of colorectal non-epithelial malignancies]

To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal malignancies of non-epithelial origin.

Seventy five cases of colorectal non-epithelial malignancy who had undergone treatment in our hospital from 1975 to 1996 were retrospectively analysed with their clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis.

Patients usually had no specific clinical manifectation, such as bloody purulent stool or mucous stool. No apparent mucosa damage other than changes due to pressure from without was found on x-ray and colonoscopic examinations. Diagnosis depended on pathology and clinical manifestations. Metastasis occurred mainly by hematogenous spread and local invasion. In this series, 21 cases (6 liomyosarcomas; 15 lymphosarcoma) had local recurrence. The principle treatment was operation, which was performed two or several times in patients with local recurrences. Except lymphosarcoma, the disease was not sensitive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The survival rate was significantly lower than that of colorectal cancers.

The disease is apt to be misdiagnosed or missed because it lacks specific symptoms. Local recurrence and hematogenous metastasis are common.