A rectal neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with Crohn’s disease: a case report and literature review

Crohn’s disease is recognized to increase the risk of gastrointestinal malignances. Adenocarcinoma is the most common malignancy in these patients. Association between Crohn’s disease and adenocarcinoma in the small intestine has already been established, however, the association between neuroendocrine tumor and Crohn’s disease remains uncertain. We report a 39-year-old man with Crohn’s disease, who was diagnosed with NET in the rectum. He had suffered from fever and anal pain due to the anal fistula and abscess. The disease state was considered to be resistant to medical treatment. He underwent total proctocolectomy, small bowel resection, anal fistula drainage with ileostomy. Postoperative histology revealed a neuroendocrine tumor in the rectum. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he followed a good course under treatment with infliximab and mercaptopurine hydrate. This case highlights the need of careful observation of resected specimens in light of the possibility of NET, especially those with anal disorders.