Incarcerated sigmoid large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in an inguinal hernia

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the colon are extremely rare aggressive tumors. A 79-year-old man presented at our hospital for muco-hematic diarrhea, weight loss and incarcerated hernia in his left groin. Colonoscopy revealed sigmoid stenosis. Computed tomography confirmed an incarcerated hernia containing sigmoid mass and massive abdominal adenopathy. In absence of colonic obstruction, the patient underwent elective palliative sigmoid resection and colostomy by laparoscopic approach, and direct hernia repair through inguinal access. Histopathological examination revealed a large cells sigmoid NEC. We report the first case of large-cell neuroendocrine colon cancer incarcerated in an inguinal hernia. Due to the advanced stage, we have performed a palliative laparoscopic resection in order to reduce surgical trauma, confirm pre-operative results and minimize post-operative complications, and direct hernia repair through inguinal access.