Synchronous colonic carcinomas presenting as an inguinoscrotal hernial mass: a case report

BACKGROUND: A carcinoma within a hernia in the groin is uncommon, with an incidence of less than 0.5 percent of all excised sacs. This article describes a case of synchronous colonic carcinomas, one of which presented as an inguinoscrotal mass. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year old man presented with a large, irreducible left inguinoscrotal hernia and symptoms of obstruction. On examination, there was an 8 cm palpable mass within the hernia sac. CT scan revealed small and proximal large bowel obstruction secondary to a large ingunoscrotal sac and synchronous colonic tumours of the transverse colon and the ascending colon. The former presented as an inguinoscrotal mass. Laparotomy revealed a large tumour mass arising from the transverse colon in the hernia sac. The procedure was followed by an extended right hemicolectomy, during which the second tumour in the ascending colon was also resected. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates a rare but interesting occurrence of primary transverse colon carcinoma presenting in a hernia sac, in conjunction with a synchronous tumour of the ascending colon. Prognosis is comparable to patients with a solitary tumour of similar pathological staging when the resection is curative. The presence of an inguinal hernia itself does not signify an increased risk of colorectal malignancy. However, in the presence of obstruction, incarceration, and weight loss, malignancy should be suspected. Thorough clinical examination, flexible sigmoidoscopy or radiographic evaluation is necessary preoperatively in such patients. Surgical resection, with or without adjuvant oncological treatment, should be performed as soon as possible, using established techniques with modifications according to involvement of local structures.