Rectal Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: Case Report and Radio-Pathological CorrelationEnglish

Abstract

Only a few cases of peripheral Primary Neuroectodermal Tumor (pPNET) arising in the rectum have been described in the literature. We report a case of a 54-year-old male patient with urinary retention and lower abdominal pain, whose CT and MRI demonstrated a pelvic mass compressing the rectum and bladder. After surgical resection, histologic and immunohistochemical findings were compatible with a rectal pPNET, with a proliferation index of 10%. This case draws the attention to a rare and aggressive condition that has no specific symptoms or typical imaging features, consisting of a rapid growing tumor with poor prognosis, even after surgical resection and chemotherapy.