Synchronous NET and colorectal cancer development: a case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Synchronous gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) and colorectal cancer present a rare clinical challenge.
• The management of patients with both conditions requires careful consideration of treatment sequencing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of synchronous rectal neuroendocrine tumor with metastatic disease and sigmoid colon cancer.
• To discuss the optimal surgical and therapeutic strategy in such complex cases.

Main Methods:

• A 72-year-old male patient with rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and metastatic disease, alongside simultaneous sigmoid colon cancer, is described.
• The patient underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy prior to systemic therapy for the NET.

Main Results:

• The colon cancer was addressed first due to the risk of obstruction or bleeding during subsequent NET treatment.
• The patient subsequently initiated treatment with everolimus for the neuroendocrine tumor.

Conclusions:

• Surgical resection of synchronous colorectal cancer should be prioritized before initiating systemic therapy for a GI-NET.
• This approach is recommended even if the prognosis differs between the tumors, especially if the cancer impedes treatment continuation.