False teeth in an apple core: Unusual presentation of a colorectal carcinoma

Ingestion of foreign bodies is common amongst the elderly. Although most foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without consequence some cause complications including bowel perforation.

We present a case of denture ingestion that lead to the diagnosis of an unsuspected colorectal cancer. The patient underwent radical surgery to remove the tumor and the ingested denture. The operation and recovery were uneventful.

Complications from ingested foreign bodies mostly occur at points of anatomical intestinal tapering. However, tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract can also lead to obstructions and other complications. As the incidence of tumors increases with age, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual situation.

Although impaction of a foreign body in a gastro-intestinal tumor is very rare, our case suggests close follow-up is prudent in the elderly should a foreign body be ingested.