Synchronous Sigmoid Colon Cancer Seeding a Fistula-in-Ano

A seeded fistula-in-ano from a synchronous sigmoid colon cancer is rare. The literature is still divided regarding the standard treatment, although an abdominoperineal resection is considered the best option when curative resection is possible. This case is distinct from previous reports, as the patient had known metastatic liver disease before surgery, and proceeded with a pan-proctocolectomy after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient died 20 months post-operatively of his metastatic liver disease, having been otherwise asymptomatic for eight months on continued chemotherapy, before commencing palliative treatment (completed five cycles). Given its rarity, a low suspicion to biopsy a fistula-in-ano is advocated, and the exclusion of malignancy should be considered prior to surgery.