[Colitis cystica profunda: report of one case]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Colitis cystica profunda (CCP) is a rare, benign gastrointestinal condition.
• It can be challenging to differentiate CCP from adenocarcinoma on clinical and endoscopic evaluation.
• Radiation therapy, particularly for pelvic malignancies, is a known risk factor for developing CCP.

Observation:

• A 35-year-old woman with a history of uterine cervical carcinoma treated with radiotherapy presented with recurrent intermittent hematochezia.
• Initial episodes were diagnosed and managed as radiation colitis, with a six-year asymptomatic interval.
• The patient later developed a rectal mass, prompting surgical intervention.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination of the surgically removed rectal mass confirmed the diagnosis of colitis cystica profunda.
• This case illustrates a delayed presentation of CCP following radiation therapy.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering CCP in the differential diagnosis of patients with a history of pelvic radiation presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding or rectal masses.
• Awareness of this entity is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management, avoiding unnecessary aggressive treatments for potentially benign conditions.