Anastomotic recurrence after curative resection of a transverse colon carcinoma: a case report

We report a case of anastomotic recurrence after curative surgery for transverse colon cancer in a 53-year-old man. The recurrence was first detected as a submucosal tumor 1.3 cm in diameter, located on the suture line, during an annual follow-up barium enema and colonoscopy. A repeat examination 3 months later showed the lesion to be a typical colon cancer, 2.5 cm in size, with a large ulcerated area. Right hemicolectomy was performed with curative intent. Anastomotic recurrence is much rarer after colonic resection than after anterior resection. This was the first time that we had detected a recurrent lesion as a submucosal tumor during annual follow-up examination.