Synchronous rectal and colon cancer caused by familial polyposis coli during pregnancy

Abstract

The management of colon and rectal cancer during pregnancy is controversial and challenging. Rectal or colon cancer during pregnancy is a very rare event. A 29-year-old woman, pregnant with her second child, was diagnosed with rectal cancer causing bowel obstruction and synchronous colon cancer during the 27th week of gestation. Both cancers occurred as a result of familial polyposis. This is the first case of synchronous rectal and colon cancer caused by familial polyposis during pregnancy reported in the published literature. We discuss the therapeutic interventions and the surgical management of the cancer in relation to the gestation.