PRIMARY ADENOCARCINOMA ARISING IN AN ILEOSTOMY

Two cases are added to the world literature of patients in whom an ade nocarcinoma developed at the ileostomy site after total proctocolectom y for ulcerative colitis. Fourteen additional cases have been reported in the world literature; of these, 12 cases have been in patients wit h ulcerative colitis, and four cases have been in patients with famili al adenomatous polyposis. Adenocarcinoma of an ileostomy is not common . However, in the analysis of the reported cases, patients with long-s tanding ileostomies appear to be at a greater risk. With an aging ileo stomy population, an increase in the number of cases may be seen. Thre e hypotheses are discussed as potential causative pathways to this ent ity. Continued analysis of these cases may yield information on the pa thophysiology involved.