Primary Signet Ring Cell Anal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Anal cancer is a rare neoplasm accounting for 1.2–2% of all digestive cancers [1, 2] but presents with an increasing incidence. The carcinoma of the anus has a female predominance and usually presents in patients at or over the age of 65 [1–3]. Epidermoid carcinoma and predominantly squamous cell carcinoma, account for more than 70% of all cancers of the anus [3], while adenocarcinoma is less common comprising for about 5–19% of anal carcinomas [3, 4]. Anal adenocarcinoma is a carcinoma of the anal canal epithelium and there are three major types: the rectal type adenocarcinoma arising from the mucosal surface, the anal gland adenocarcinoma and the adenocarcinoma associated with anal fissures and anorectal fistula, usually of the mucinous type [1, 3, 5]. Signet ring cell anal adenocarcinoma is extremely rare with only one case reported in the literature [6]. We present a case of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (SRCA) of the anus.