Significance of schistosomiasis japonica in the development of cancer of the large intestine

Abstract

A 68 yr old man had a tumor in the ascending colon, following schistosomiasis 58 yr earlier. Right hemicolectomy was performed. Examination of the specimen showed adenocarcinoma with schistosomiasis japonica. A total of 276 such cases in medical literature were reviewed. There were significant differences between carcinoma with schistosomiasis and ordinary carcinoma in symptoms, age range, sex ratio and histopathologic findings. These suggest that schistosomiasis induces carcinoma. Chronic inflammation and epithelial proliferation due to intestinal schistosomiasis may be a promoting factor rather than a direct carcinogenic factor in the development of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine.