Carcinoma of the large intestine with survival in a child of nine and in his father. A study of carcinoma of the colon with particular reference to children

Abstract

The case reports are presented of a child aged 9 and his father aged 43 both with colorectal cancer unassociated with polyposis. A number of cases of carcinoma coli in children have been recorded but the outlook is depressingly poor; only I other long-term survival in a child appears to be authenticated. The literature is reviewed and the reasons for the frequent errors and delays in diagnosis are analysed. The fact that the condition often masquerades as appendicitis or mesenteric adenitis in children is stressed. A case is made for a positive approach when dealing with local recurrences even in anaplastic and colloid tumours. It is suggested that certain bowel tumours may invade aggressively but not metastasize via the bloodstream or lymph channels; in these lesions the prognosis will be good if radical surgery is undertaken. The evidence is in favour of a genetic basis for primary carcinoma of the colon and acceptance of this imposes the need for care in observing close relatives.