Transitional cell carcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst

Abstract

Malignant transformation in tailgut cysts (TGCs) is extremely rare, with no reports of transitional cell carcinoma arising in them in the UK literature. Here, we discuss a case of a patient with a malignant TGC encapsulating the rectum. This case report highlights the pathological and diagnostic considerations and discusses its management.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a sacrococcygeal tailgut cyst

“…Malignant transformations in tailgut cysts, though very rare, are generally transitional cell carcinoma, carcinoid tumor and adenocarcinoma; 33 cases have been reported in the literature. 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 Squamous cell carcinoma was reported previously in only one case of synchronized rectal adenocarcinoma, making ours the second case report in the literature. 4 Moreover, ours is the first case report of squamous cell carcinoma developing in a tailgut cyst without synchronization, as an isolated (pure) pathology.…”

“…The tru-cut biopsy is valuable, though it risks tumor spread and infection and could miss the localization. 7 In our case, we preferred tru-cut biopsy.…”

“…Although tailgut cysts are seen in all age groups, they are most common in middle-aged women. 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 They are generally asymptomatic and are diagnosed through localization in later ages. A localized lesion at low sites may be misdiagnosed as pilonidal sinus, especially when pitted lesions are present on the surface, as in our case.…”

“…Rectal duplication cysts are shielded by intestinal mucosa, and their wall contains an organized muscularis propria. 2 , 4 , 7 Tail cysts, however, are multilocular, and the underlying epithelium is squamous, transitional, or a combination of both. 2 , 4 A case of seromucous gland structures on the cyst has also been reported.…”

A Rare Coexistence of Retrorectal and Ovarian Cysts: A Case Report

“…So in complicated cases, a multidisciplinary approach involving colorectal surgeons, neurosurgeons, possibly orthopedists, and radiation oncologists (for malignant tumors) is overemphasized in the literature (1, 17, 18). In spite of the benign course of the disease in the present case, we used a team of experts, because we expected probable adhesions, fibrosis, and anatomic distortion after several previous surgeries.…”