Transverse Colon Cancer Presenting as a Large Abdominal Mass with Anterior Abdominal Wall Abscess: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Colorectal cancer usually presents with intestinal symptoms, but rare extraintestinal manifestations may occur from tumuor invasion. These include abdominal wall abscess, rupture, subcutaneous thigh or retroperitoneal abscess, and emphysema, often leading to misdiagnosis and treatment delays. We report a 30-year-old male with progressive, painless right upper abdominal swelling for four months and a discharging anterior abdominal wound for two months. Initially treated as soft tissue infection, further evaluation revealed a transverse colon tumuor with abdominal wall abscess. He underwent extended right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis. Histopathology confirmed adenocarcinoma. A postoperative complication of surgical site infection was successfully managed with antibiotics and wound dressing with povidone iodine. This case highlights considering colonic cancer in atypical abdominal wall presentations.