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Open Access Case report

A multidisciplinary clinical treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer complicated with rectovesical fistula: a case report

Tiancheng Zhan1, Lin Wang1, Ming Li1, Zhongwu Li2, Yong Cai3, Lin Shen4 and Jin Gu1*

Author Affiliations

1 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, 52 Fu Cheng Lu, Beijing, Haidian District 100142, PR China

2 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, 52 Fu Cheng Lu, Beijing, Haidian District, 100142, PR China

3 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Radiotherapy, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, 52 Fu Cheng Lu, Beijing, 100142, Haidian District, PR China

4 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, 52 Fu Cheng Lu, Beijing, Haidian District, 100142, PR China

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012, 6:369 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-6-369

Published: 29 October 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Rectal cancer with rectovesical fistula is a rare and difficult to treat entity. Here, we describe a case of rectal cancer with rectovesical fistula successfully managed by multimodality treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case report in the literature.

Case presentation

A 51-year-old Chinese man was diagnosed as having rectal cancer accompanied by rectovesical fistula. He underwent treatment with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy combined with total pelvic excision and adjuvant chemotherapy, as recommended by a multimodality treatment team. Post-operative pathology confirmed the achievement of pathological complete response.

Conclusions

This case suggests that a proactive multidisciplinary treatment is needed to achieve complete cure of locally advanced rectal cancer even in the presence of rectovesical fistula.