Primary linitis plastica of the rectosigmoid in a thirteen year old boy

Abstract

Childhood malignant neoplasms of the gut are extremely rare. The reported incidence of colorectal cancers in patients under 20 years of age is 1 in 10 million. The low index of suspicion for this tumour in children results in advanced disease at diagnosis and subsequently a poor prognosis. A rare case of a primary linitis plastica of the rectum occurring in a 13 year old boy is reported with review of pertinent literature.