Case Reports in Surgery (Jan 2015)

The Great Pretender: Rectal Syphilis Mimic a Cancer

  • Andrea Pisani Ceretti,
  • Matteo Virdis,
  • Nirvana Maroni,
  • Monica Arena,
  • Enzo Masci,
  • Alberto Magenta,
  • Enrico Opocher

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/434198
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2015

Abstract

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Rectal syphilis is a rare expression of the widely recognised sexual transmitted disease, also known as the great imitator for its peculiarity of being confused with mild anorectal diseases because of its vague symptoms or believed rectal malignancy, with the concrete risk of overtreatment. We present the case of a male patient with primary rectal syphilis, firstly diagnosed as rectal cancer; the medical, radiological, and endoscopic features are discussed below.