Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer in a patient with lung cancer

ABSTRACT

<b>Purpose</b>: Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) commonly occurs in elderly who are bedridden for long time due to severe underlying diseases such as cerebral and myocardial infarction and their complications. However, it is uncommon in end-stage cancer patients receiving palliative care. We report a rare AHRU case in his forties who had lung cancer with paraplegia due to tumor invasion. <b>Case</b>: A male lung cancer patientwas admitted to our hospital for new-onset paraplegia caused by spinal cord invasion. On 25th day after admission, he suffered from a little rectal bleeding. From that day, a painless rectal bleeding becomes gradually increased. On 37th day, a massive bleeding was occurred. Endoscopy showed that there was no active bleeding but an exposed vessel and partial circumferential ulcer in the lower part of rectum, which was compatible with the finding of AHRU. The lesion was successfully treated by clipping and no re-bleeding was observed after clipping. He was discharge on 103rd day. <b>Conclusion</b>: AHRU should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a massive melena in end-stage cancer patients. Prompt diagnosis and therapy is important because this disease is curable even in the terminal stage to improve their quality of life. Palliat Care Res 2011; 6(1): 308-312