Case report: Melanosis coli combined with colon cancer, causality or coincidence?

Abstract

The habitual use of laxative containing anthraquinone glycosides is considered to be the main cause of melanosis coli (MC). In the past, most scholars considered MC to be a benign and reversible disease. However, new evidence has emerged that MC may increase the risk of colon cancer. Here, we report a case of a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with MC and colon cancer. Through a literature review of previous basic and clinical studies, we summarize existing evidence that reveals the possible association between MC and colon cancer. Although this case cannot establish causality between MC and colon cancer, a high level of clinical vigilance for occurrence of colon cancer in patients with MC should be maintained.

Melanosis coli in a Nigerian female: A case report

“…This may be due to easier detection of polyps, which may lack pigment, proffered by the dark mucosa background of MC [12]. There is also a report of colon cancer in a patient with MC which was thought to be co-existence rather than a causal relationship [13]. Our patient had no colonic polyp but had internal hemorrhoids which was the likely cause of her rectal bleeds.…”