Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
Retrorectal tumors: Case report and review of literature
Giorgio La Greca1, Giovanni Trombatore1, Guido Basile2
1Division of General Surgery, Civil Hospital of Lentini, C/da Colle Roggio, 96016 Lentini, SR, Italy.
Background:
Retrorectal tumors are rare diseases and they can be challenging to diagnose and to manage. Usually they have a slow growth and they are asymptomatic. When present, symptoms depends on the dimensions of the tumor and their position. Inside the retrorectal space may develope a wide variety of benign and malignant masses.
Case Report:
A 70-years-old, obese, female patient was admitted to our hospital referring pelvic and lower-back pain for six months. The retrorectal mass was incidentally detected on imaging, and treated with a modified Kraske procedure. Pathological examination revealed a rare retrorectal epidermoid cyst. We also reviewed the informations present in the scientific literature about the incidence, diagnosis and treatment options of retrorectal tumors.
Conclusions:
Even though the rarity and heterogeneity of these tumors, we agree with literature that their surgical management is mandatory in order to achieve a definitive diagnosis and to avoid complications including malignant transformation. The surgical approach should be tailored for each patient and according to tumor's features.
