Obstructing adenocarcinoma of the descending colon in a 31-year-old pregnant woman

INTRODUCTION: Colon cancer in pregnant women is rare and tends to produce unspecific symptoms until advanced stage. Therefore common manifestations during pregnancy must be properly evaluated to avoid delayed diagnosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 31-year-old pregnant woman presented with nausea, vomiting and obstipation. An obtained magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed distended colon and the consecutive colonoscopy with biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of stenosing carcinoma of the descending colon. Left sided hemicolectomy was performed 10 days after initial presentation. Tumor histology confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the descendo-sigmoidal junction. Adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil was started in the 29th gestational week. The patient had an uneventful delivery of a healthy baby in her 39th gestational week. DISCUSSION: Colorectal carcinoma during pregnancy is a rare event and its diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms are unspecific until the disease is advanced. Although constipation in pregnancy is a common symptom differential diagnosis of a mechanical stenosis should always be contemplated, especially when conservative treatment of constipation fails. MRI is the imaging tool of choice as abdominal computed tomography (CT) is contraindicated in pregnancy. Endoscopic confirmation should be obtained to gain pathological diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. Surgery is the gold standard of treatment. In relation to the stage of the disease chemotherapy is of great importance. CONCLUSION: Obstructing colorectal cancer can be a rare reason for the common problem of constipation in pregnancy. Beside clinical examination, MRI scan and colonoscopy will reveal the tumor in most cases and should be followed by surgical treatment and chemotherapy according to the stage of disease.