Giant Submucosal Lipoma of the Cecum: Report of a Case and Review of Literature

Abstract

Lipoma of the colon is a relatively rare benign tumor. A case with intermittent subacute colon obstruction due to a giant lipoma of the cecum is reported. A 51-year-old woman presented with intermittent, abdominal crampy pain in the right upper and lower quadrants, accompanied by alternative episodes of diarrhea and constipation. She had had similar symptoms over the last three months. A double-contrast barium enema showed a large (~7cm in diameter) polypoid mass occluding the lumen of the cecum and the ascending colon. Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal mass suspected of  benign tumor but too large for endoscopic resection. Surgery revealed a hard elongated mass in the right colon, which telescoped into the transverse colon and caused colo-colonic intussusception. Right hemicolectomy was performed and pathology documented a mature, submucosal lipoma of the cecum. Six years after the surgery, the patient has not showed any of the previous symptoms. Along with a review of the literature, the incidence, diagnosis complications and treatment of colonic lipomas are discussed.