Primary rectal squamous cell carcinoma resembling a submucosal tumor

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary rectal squamous cell carcinoma is an exceptionally rare malignancy.
• Most cases present at advanced stages, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• Early-stage presentations with submucosal characteristics are particularly uncommon.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of early-stage primary rectal squamous cell carcinoma.
• To highlight the diagnostic difficulties posed by its submucosal appearance.
• To describe the successful management of this rare rectal tumor.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a patient with a rectal submucosal lesion.
• Diagnostic workup including endoscopic evaluation.
• Treatment via endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for excisional biopsy.

Main Results:

• The tumor exhibited an early-stage, submucosal growth pattern.
• Pre-operative differentiation from other submucosal rectal tumors was challenging.
• Successful complete resection of the tumor was achieved through ESD.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a viable option for managing early-stage, submucosal rectal squamous cell carcinoma.
• This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses even with atypical presentations.
• Prompt diagnosis and minimally invasive resection can lead to favorable outcomes for rare rectal cancers.