Case Report
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2006; 12(11): 1780-1781
Published online Mar 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i11.1780
Tubulovillous adenoma of anal canal: A case report
Bhupinder S Anand, Gordana Verstovsek, George Cole
Bhupinder S Anand, Gordana Verstovsek, George Cole, Departments of Medicine, Pathology and Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
Correspondence to: BS Anand, MD, Digestive Diseases Section (111D), VA Medical Center,2002 Holcombe Blvd Houston, TX 77030, United States. [email protected]
Telephone: +1-71-37947273 Fax: +1-713-7947687
Received: October 17, 2005
Revised: October 29, 2005
Accepted: November 18, 2005
Published online: March 21, 2006
Abstract

Tumors arising from the anal canal are usually of epithelial origin and are mostly squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. We present a case of benign anal adenomas arising from the anus, an extremely rare diagnosis. A 78-year-old white man presented with rectal bleeding of several months duration. Examination revealed a 4 cm friable mass attached to the anus by a stalk. At surgery, the mass was grasped with a Babcock forceps and was resected using electrocautery. Microscopic examination revealed a tubulovillus adenoma with no areas of high grade dysplasia or malignant transformation. The squamocolumnar junction was visible at the edges of the lesion confirming the anal origin of the tumor. We believe the tubulovillus adenoma arose from either an anal gland or its duct that opens into the anus. Although seen rarely, it is important to recognize and treat these tumors at an early stage because of their potential to transform into adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Tubulovillous adenoma, Anal canal