SIGNET-RING CARCINOMA OF THE ILEOCECAL VA LVE IN A PATIENT WITH SCHISTOSOMIASIS

A 24-year-old male Egyptian complained of cramp-like upper abdominal d iscomfort and weight loss (3 kg) over 4 weeks. Physical examination me rely gave evidence of the weight loss and of a slightly prominent gas- filled abdomen, mild diffuse abdominal tenderness and considerable bor borygmus. Radiology of the intestines revealed chronic subileus of the small intestine caused by stenosis of the ileocaecal valve, which was impassable by coloscope. Biopsy suggested schistosomiasis of the ileo caecal valve. Examination of the resected ileocaecum showed atypical s ignet-ring carcinoma of the ileocaecal valve which had infiltrated all layers but had not metastasised to the regional lymphnodes (pT3, NO, MO). Typical eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were present in the mucos a of the tumour segment and of the neighbouring tissues. - It is possi ble that chronic intestinal schistosomiasis is a potentially precancer ous condition, similar to schistosomiasis of the urinary bladder.