Colorectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; A Comparative Look into Its Molecular Profile

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, while colorectal adenocarcinoma is more common, colorectal squamous cell carcinoma is exceptionally rare making it difficult to study the molecular profile, signaling pathways and pathogenesis of the disease which limits the viable treatment modalities. By analyzing and comparing the similarities between colorectal adenocarcinoma and colorectal squamous cell carcinoma we are able to extrapolate data that assists in assigning molecular profiles, signaling pathways, and possible anticancer therapy targets.

We present the case of an Asian woman in her fifties who had no previous history of predisposing factors and presented with a chief concern of fatigue, later found to have severe anemia requiring blood transfusion and an ascending colon tumor causing a significant narrowing of the lumen and a suspicious liver mass. Endoscopic biopsy of the specimen revealed that the obstructed mass was a squamous cell tumor. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy with excision of the liver mass, and histopathological examination confirmed the biopsy results. The patient has completed adjuvant chemotherapy and is still alive at the time of submission.

This uncommon presentation, molecular profile and the histopathological data provides new insight into the possible presentations of colorectal squamous cell carcinoma in different patients.