Ischiorectal Fossa Tumors: Thirty-Year Single Institution Experience.

Abstract

Primary tumors of the ischiorectal fossa are rare and comprise a wide array of pathologies with varying malignant potential. Due to the low prevalence, there is a paucity of data in the literature. This paper presents a case-series on the management of ischiorectal fossa tumors. To present a 30-year experience managing ischiorectal fossa tumors. Retrospective single center analysis. A quaternary referral academic healthcare center. All patients treated for ischiorectal fossa tumors. All patients underwent surgical management of their disease. Disease recurrence and overall survival. A total of 34 patients (53% female) were identified with a median follow-up of 23 months. Twenty-one patients (62%) were diagnosed with benign and 13 (38%) with malignant tumors. All underwent surgical resection. Median tumor size was 8.4 cm. R0 resection was obtained in 28 patients. Twelve (35%) developed recurrence (nine following R0 resection) with a median time of 6.5 months. There were no surgical related mortalities. Limitations to the study include its retrospective nature, single center experience, and small patient sample size. Ischiorectal fossa tumors are primarily benign, however they are associated with high recurrence rates even in the setting of an R0 resection. Treatment should be approached in a multidisciplinary fashion and preferably in centers with experience treating these tumors. Close post treatment surveillance is imperative. See Video Abstract.