Bleeding per rectum during induction chemotherapy: Looking beyond the leukaemia – 2 case reports and review of literature

ABSTRACT

Synchronous malignancies involving acute leukemia and a solid organ are rare. Bleeding per rectum is a common manifestation of acute leukemia during induction chemotherapy and might mask the presence of synchronous colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). Here we present two rare cases of acute leukemia with synchronous CRC. We also review previously reported synchronous malignancies to investigate demographics, diagnosis, and treatment modalities. Management of these cases requires a multispecialty approach: